North Shields F.C. 1 – 1 West Allotment Celtic
Stand-in Anthony Woodhouse’s Robins battled against a tight newly promoted West Allotment Celtic this afternoon, but Alan Gate’s side held the line to grind out a point at the Daren Persson Stadium.
North Shields started off the game strong, with plenty of possession in the Allotment’s half and some early pressure resulting in a free kick in a dangerous position out wide in the fourth minute. Ever-present set-piece taker Nick Cassidy hung the ball back post and it was met by captain Gary Ormston who headed just wide of the mark.
Shields looked to get themselves into the game early with decent spells of play down both sides. The twelfth minute produced a chance for Liam Brooks as midfield man Paul Van-Zandvliet worked a yard down the right-hand channel and laid it off to the Robins number 11, but the shot was fired over the bar.
In the 15th minute the first goal of the game arrived. An error from goalkeeper Greg Purvis fell to West Allotment forward Regan Paterson, who finished calmly into the open goal.
The half carried on much as it began, with Shields holding most of the possession but struggled to make inroads into the dangerous areas of the pitch.
In the 26th minute striker Dan Wilson was slipped in behind the West Allotment defence but struggled to control the ball and the keeper gathered comfortably.
West Allotment began to get some joy hitting the Robins on the counterattack, and in the 32nd minute a huge chance dropped to a West Allotment man at the back post after a move down the right. Shields’ blushes were spared however as the chance somehow found its way wide of the mark.
Midfield man Cam Cunningham looked to get himself on the ball and in the 35th minute began what would begin to be a strong 10 minutes for himself. The number 8 dribbled himself into some space on the left and fired a right-footed shot on goal. The shot didn’t trouble the West Allotment goalkeeper Finn Hodgson however, and it was held comfortably.
Three minutes to be added was the verdict from matchday official Connor Scott. And in the last minute of the half midfielder David Robinson hit a shot from outside the area which sailed over the bar.
The second half kicked off without any changes from stand-in manager Anthony Woodhouse
Just eight minutes into the half saw Ormston again found at the back post, but the captain headed wide once more.
A spell of intense pressure from the Robins continued to be fruitless as just two minutes later in the 55th minute Cunningham produced a close ranged effort which was saved excellently by Hodgson again.
In the 57th minute ever-present West Allotment man Luke Parkinson headed the ball off the line in an aerial scramble in the box.
The 58th minute saw Woodhouse’s first change, with Cunningham making way for new signing Jack Leonard.
Van-Zandvliet in the 61st minute found space in the box but again the West Allotment defence held firm and centre half Michael Scott was ready to block the effort.
In the 64th minute a breakaway for West Allotment led goal scorer Regan Paterson into the final third of the pitch, who took a shot only to see it glide over.
On 66 minutes the Robins made their second substitution, Liam Brooks who struggled to make an impact was brought off and Callum Smith took his post on the right-hand side of the attack.
An almost immediate impact was made as in the 67th minute Wilson laid a chance off to Smith teeing him up from no more than 10 yards out, but the shot was straight at keeper Hodgson.
Two minutes later the visitors made their first change of the game. Mikel Thompson making way for Liam Beeston.
In the 72nd minute Shields full-back Chris McDonald found a chance to shoot open up to him on the edge of the box after an advance down the right. The left-back however fired the ball wide of the mark much to the dismay of the Curva Nord by the goal.
With fatigue beginning to settle into both sides it was the 80th minute when Shields made their final substitution of the game, Van-Zandvliet coming off and new arrival Konner Lamb filled in the gap.
Two minutes later in the 82nd minute Shields finally got their goal, a freekick given away wide of the box from the West Allotment fullback was delivered excellently by Cassidy. The resulting melee at the goalmouth was latched onto by Dan Wilson who finished aptly.
With an equaliser in the bag the inspired Robins side pushed on, the ball solemnly leaving the visitors third. The 85th minute bringing another goal-line scramble this time striking the post.
In the 88th minute after holding out valiantly West Allotment got their chance to turn the tie on its head. A breakaway counterattack created a two vs one situation with Paterson and Callum Larmouth either side of centre half Anth Meyers. Larmouth taking two bites of the cherry but Greg Purvis with a fantastic double-save to keep the Robins in it.
Two sides who gave their all were instructed there were to be three minutes of added time at the end of the game, all of which proved to be uneventful and the points deservedly shared.
Final Score: North Shields F.C. 1 West Allotment Celtic 1
Attendance: 385
Officials: Connor Scott – Nicholas Vincent – Stephen Beesford
North Shields Starting XI: Greg Purvis, Nick Cassidy, Anth Meyers, Chris McDonald, Jack Walker, Gary Ormston, David Robinson, Cam Cunningham, Paul Van-Zandvliet, Liam Brooks, Dan Wilson (Jack Leonard 58, Callum Smith 66, Konner Lamb, 80)
Unused Subs: Adam Forster, Andrew Cartwright
West Allotment Celtic Starting XI: Finn Hodgson, Luke Parkinson, Jack Errington, Michael Scott, Graham Williams, Regan Paterson, Gilberto Chapim, Callum Larmouth, Mikel Thompson, Rui Martins (Beeston
Unused Subs: Shane Jones, Gavin Dick, Dario dos Santos, Callum Carney
