Match Report
Saturday 1st March 2025
EBAC Northern League Division One
North Shields 3-1 Whitley Bay
‘Nelson leads the charge in El Coastico victory’
The game that all Robins supporters most look forward to had finally arrived, Whitley Bay at home in El Coastico.
The Robins in good spirits from last Saturday’s win on the road at Whickham, took to the field with Nelson Ogbewe given the nod to start up front following on from an impressive performance and well taken goal at the First Mortgage Glebe.
With a noticeable breeze, the sides swapped ends forcing the Robins to play towards the clubhouse uncharacteristically in the first half.
Despite the breeze against them, it was the Robins who settled quickest into the contest, getting the ball down and moving it around, looking to use Ogbewe’s strength up top, to make advances up the pitch.
The first half chance came from Downey, trying a speculative effort from distance, the effort always rising as it went over the top.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1 – 0 Whitley Bay – Nelson Ogbewe ‘12
A handful from the first minute for the Whitley defence, the young forward pouncing when they away defence were unable to deal with Coppen’s long ball forward, able to bring the ball under control before catching Bay’s Gladstone off guard with an effort from the edge of the area, sending the Robins fans into raptures of applause.
Firmly on the front foot, the Robins continued to apply pressure as they looked to add a second goal to their tally, Jordan Lashley rattled the crossbar after Nick Cassidy’e freekick was only cleared as far as the young winger, who let fly from the edge of the area.
At the other end, the Robins were forced to do some defensive work, Coppen on hand with a decisive block to stop the visitors from getting a foothold back in the game.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 2 – 0 Whitley Bay – Curtis Coppen ‘29
A corner kick floated into the penalty area, the ball cleared as far as McCamley, who hit an effort that looked destined for the far corner, headed away by the defence in to the path of Coppen, who hit it first time, left footed out of the air, picking out the bottom corner, doubling the Robins advantage on the half hour mark.
Nick Cassidy was on hand to provide a crucial block on the line from a Bay corner as they looked to force a way back into the game.
On the stroke of half time, Will McCamley went on one his marauding runs forward, running from deep and into the penalty area, his effort deflected out for a corner.
The first half brought to an end, the Robins very much on top, deserving of the lead and stopping the visitors from generating any real momentum, the visitor’s showing glimpses of danger but nothing that the Robins defence weren’t able to deal with.
The second half started off with the Robins on the front foot, the first effort saw Carr guide an effort onto the roof of the net.
Nelson Obgewe, continuing to be a nuisance for the visiting defence, linked up well with Carr only for the latter to be denied by a superb tackle, moments later, he set up McCamley who drove into the box, only for his heavy touch to evade him.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 3 – 0 Whitley Bay – Ryan Carr ‘70
A neat goal to all but put the game to bed, Cassidy picking out Carr with a long ball forward, able to bring the ball down and play a one-two with Ogbewe to carve open the Bay defence before calmly slotting the ball home.
Dean Holmes, having replaced Ryan Carr was given a warm introduction to the afternoons proceedings as he was steamrolled by team-mate Curtis Coppen who rose highest to win a header on halfway.
Alfa Djalo drove from wide for the visitors, only to scuff his cross harmlessly out of play.
Nick Cassidy was on hand to provide more superb defensive work, putting an end to a Bay attack, ushering the ball out of play for a goal kick.
More changes for the Robins saw the introductions of Danny Anderson, Liam Marrs and Dan Waldon in place of Kyle Downey, Nick Cassidy and Nelson Ogbewe as Brian Smith’s side looked to see out the game.
With the game pestering out and all but over as a contest, the final quarter of an hour became somewhat of a scrappy affair. Chances very few and far between, the Robins standing strong to deal with what the Bay attack had to throw at them.
GOAL North Shields 3 – 1 WHITLEY BAY – Graham Williams ‘90+3
A minor blip in an almost perfect afternoon from the Robins, a cheap freekick for the visitors, swung into the penalty area, headed back across goal from the back post, not dealt with by the Robins defence as the ball fell into the path of Williams to fire home from close range.
Being the final action of the game, the match official brought the proceedings to an end, resulting in the Robins claiming victory in the first El Coastico of the season and bringing joy to the vast majority of the 752 in attendance at the Daren Persson Stadium.
A proper team performance from the Robins with every player in red doing their bit to ensure the victory and make North Tyneside red.
A superb afternoon’s work from Nelson Ogbewe was rewarded with the Advanced Garage Doors MOTM award at full time.
A massive shout out to our North Shields Juniors Under 8 red’s for being superb mascots and flag bearers.
North Shields: Hayes, Cassidy, Adams, Downey, Coppen, E Anderson, McCamley, Forster ©, Ogbewe, Carr, Lashley.
Subs: Waldon, D Anderson, Holmes, Marrs, Mason.
Goal Scorers:
North Shields: Ogbewe ‘12, Coppen ‘29, Carr ‘70.
Whitley Bay: Williams ‘90+3.
Attendance: 752
Mascots: North Shields Juniors Under 8 Reds.
Next Up: Marske United (A) – Tuesday 4th March – 7.45pm
