Friday 26th April 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
North Shields 3 – 0 Whickham
‘Robins shine under the Friday night lights’
The Robins took to the field in the final home game of the season under the lights on a Friday night with an earlier than usual 7pm kick off.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1-0 – DEAN HOLMES ‘8
A great team goal, McCamley linking well with Savage, who picked out Holmes running through the middle, who took a touch before the ball home low and hard giving the visiting keeper very little chance of getting anything on it.
Moments later, Whickham had their first chance of the evening but it came to nothing as the ball dropped wide of the goal.
15 minutes on the clock, the Robins almost had a second, Henry playing through Savage, who was too quick for his opponent, he rounded the keeper only to see his shot blocked on the line, shouts for handball were of no interest to the match official.
Minutes later, Savage found himself through on goal again, the youngster firing wide of the far post.
25 minutes played, another good move as the Robins moved the ball around well, working it to Henry, who tried his luck from around 20 yards, only to see his effort saved well by the visiting keeper, low down to his left.
On the half mark, another chance for the Robins as good pressing from McGowan won back possession deep in the Whickham half, the ball played through to Savage only to be beaten to the ball by the out rushing Whickham keeper.
Another penalty shout for the Robins, Lewis Henry driving into the Whickham penalty area, the youngster appearing to be pushed in the back shouts once again ignored by the match official.
Half time and the Robins went into the break deservedly in front, had it been for better finishing it could have been 3 or 4. The visitors were probably glad they were only down by 1 at the break.
A half time change saw Matty Telfer replace Dan Savage for the Robins.
First chance of the second half, fell to Anderson who headed an effort just wide of the target.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 2-0 – BEN HARMISON ‘58
A corner kick from Holmes with plenty of whip on it, was met at the front post by Harmison, who headed the ball powerfully beyond the Whickham keeper to double the Robins advantage.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 3-0 – BEN HARMISON ‘60
The Same combination of Holmes and Harmison resulted in Harmison’s second and Shields’ third, Holmes with the low cross and Harmison with the first time finish to all but secure the win.
The visitors, finding themselves three goals down, looked to carve a way back into the game, Dobson on hand to hold on well to a deep cross into the box.
McGowan worked hard to produce a chance as lifted a ball to the back post, Holmes arriving but unable to get on the end of it at the back post.
A double change for the Robins saw Holmes and Harmison make way for Telfer and Sloan respectively with 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
Another change with 10 minutes or so left to play saw Alex Nicholson take to the field in place of Darryl Donnelly.
McGowan continued to cause havoc, as he dribbled his way through the away defense before cutting the ball back only for it to be intercepted.
The Robins were able to see out the final few minutes and secure the win to cement a 14th place finish with 1 game left to play as we visit Sunderland RCA on Tuesday night.
Lewis Henry was awarded the Advanced Garage Doors MOTM award at full time after a brilliant performance in the middle of the park.
After the game, we held our end of season awards night, with awards presented by Club President Malcolm ‘Supermac’ MacDonald.
The awards and winners were as follows:
300 apps – Dean Holmes
Supporters Player – Will McCamley
Players Player – Kwak
Managers Player – luke salmon
Club player – Kwak
Special recognition – Brian smith
Special retirement award – Alan Matthews
Congratulations to all and all thoroughly deserved. Our last game, this coming Tuesday is against Sunderland RCA, we hope that you can join to cheer on the lads as they look to finish on a high.
North Shields: Dobson, Anderson, Fletcher, Henry, Donnelly, Coppen, McCamley, Homes, Harmison, McGowan, Savage.
Subs: Sloan, McCafferty, Nicholson, Telfer, Downey.
Goal Scorers: Holmes ‘8, Harmison ‘58 ‘60
Advanced Garage Doors MOTM: Lewis Henry
Attendance: 240
