Saturday 22nd March 2025
EBAC Northern League Division One
North Shields 2-0 Northallerton Town
‘Robins return to winning ways’
Having been well beaten last time out against Kendal Town, the opportunity was presented to Brian Smith’s side to put things right with the visit of Northallerton Town to the Daren Persson Stadium.
Changes from last Saturday, saw places in the starting eleven for Flyn Williamson and Lewis Suddick with Ben Harmison taking a spot on the bench having returned from injury.
A slow start to the proceedings meant several minutes passed before the first real chance came to light, a freekick awarded to the Robins after a late challenge on Ogbewe on the edge of the area, Suddick teeing it up, was able to get his effort up and over the wall but it just wouldn’t come back down in time.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1 – 0 Northallerton Town – Will McCamley ‘10
Moments later the Robins had the breakthrough, hitting on the counter, McCamley played in behind by Ogbewe showing the defence a clean pair of heels, drove into the penalty area before producing a composed finish, slotting the ball home beyond Callum Dobson.
Despite the windy conditions going against the Robins, it was Brian Smith’s side who had adapted best to the conditions, attacking on the front foot, Ogbewe tried his luck from distance, firing over the top.
Just over 20 minutes played, McCamley looked to turn provider, producing a dangerous cross, which was eventually dealt with by Dobson, scrambling at full stretch.
The visitors unable to deal with the Robins press, possession won back high up the pitch, the ball worked wide to Suddick, who was just unable to wrap his foot around the ball enough as his cross crashed into the side netting.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 2 – 0 Northallerton Town – Ben Dale OG ‘43
The Robins rewarded with a second goal, a driving run from Ogbewe, working his way to the touchline before hitting a low hard cross across the face of goal, defender Ben Dale unable to sort his feet out the back post, could only watch on as he turned the ball into the roof of his own net.
The visitors, having provided very little in the form of danger to the Robins goal, looked to get a foot back in the game, with a audacious effort from long range with the wind behind, McCafferty equal to it with a full stretch dive, tipping the effort around the post for a corner.
On the brink of half time, Ogbewe was played through on goal, only to be sandwiched between two defenders, the match official playing on, against the calls for a foul.
Half time: North Shields 2-0 Northallerton Town
A solid first 45 minutes from the Robins, playing against the elements and well deserving of the two goal lead at the break, the visitors moving the ball around well but unable to break the Robins down and their chances limited.
The second half started with penalty claims for handball inside the box waved away, denying the Robins from adding a third almost immediately from the restart.
Sin Bin: North Shields – Euan Anderson ‘53
A bizarre decision resulted in the Robins reduced to 10 men temporarily, Anderson having appeared to have been fouled in an attempt to keep hold of possession, was deemed to have fouled in opponent, to then be sin binned after arguing his case.
Good deafening from the visitors denied Ogbewe from getting in behind and potentially adding a third.
The first change of the afternoon saw Jack Donnison replace Flyn Williamson just after the hour mark.
More changes were to follow moments later as Reece Wanless and Jonathan Coulthard brought in from the junior section made their senior team debuts as they replaced Lewis Suddick and Dean Holmes respectively.
Nick Cassidy replaced Kyle Downey in midfield, with around 20 minutes plus stoppage time left to play.
The game now represented that a off typical end of season game with talking points very few and far between, the result all but confirmed, the visitors carving out one last chance, held well by McCafferty who remained alert.
A final change for the Robins saw Ben Harmison return to the field, following a spell on the sidelines in place of Ogbewe, following a solid performance from the youngster playing a part in both goals.
A plain sailing afternoon for the Robins, took a turn for the worst, when in the dying embers of the game, Jack Donnison came off worse in a 50/50 challenge, it would later be confirmed that the defender had suffered a double fracture.
A freak accident which marred a near perfect afternoon for the Robins, everybody at North Shields FC wishes Jack a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back in action very soon!
Full time: North Shields 2-0 Northallerton Town
The win took the Robins to 63 points for the season, with 4 games left to play, starting with a trip on the road next Saturday, as we visit the King George V ground, the home of Guisborough Town with a 3pm kick off.
North Shields: McCafferty, Williamson, Lough, Downey, Coppen ©, E Anderson, McCamley, D Anderson, Ogbewe, D Holmes, Suddick.
Subs: Donnison, Cassidy, Wanless, Coulthard, Harmison.
Goal Scorers:
North Shields: McCamley ‘10, Dale ‘OG ‘43
Northallerton Town: N/A.
Attendance: 170
Next Up: Guisborough Town (A) – Saturday 5th April – 3pm
