Match Report by Mark Shield
North Shields v Whickham FC
Saturday 26th July 2025
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Daren Persson Stadium
North Shields 3 – 1 Whickham FC
North Shields went looking for a fast start to the new season and that is exactly what they
got against a strong looking Whickham FC team. Brian Smith gave debuts to 3 new summer
signings in Callum Ross, Stephen Hall and Brandon Slater and also gave 3 players returning
to the club a start in Callum Eliott, Blair Adams and Regan Paterson.
There was only a couple of minutes on the clock when a forward run into the box was ended
by the trailing leg of the Whickham defender. Lee Mason made no mistake from the penalty
spot giving the keeper little chance as he fired it into the bottom corner. Seven minutes later
and a carbon copy of the first penalty resulted in a 2nd penalty for the home team. The away
team had little complaints as again Lee Mason stepped up and with a little more power put it
into the same spot in the net. 2-0 after only eleven minutes was the perfect start to the
season.
Whickham however had other ideas, and despite North Shields still looking threatening on
the break they began to get a foothold in the game. Callum Elliott was forced into his first
stop as Whickham started to create a little pressure. The goal to get them back into the
game came from a North Shields corner, as a fast break ended up with the ball falling to Kyle
Cockburn who gave Elliott no chance with his powerful shot into the bottom corner. The rest
of the half saw both teams trying to pass the ball around and use pace and power on the
break but no further clear cut chances were created.
North Shields came out with purpose to increase their narrow lead and began to show more
purpose with great link up play as a few early chances came and went. The best chance was
a great through ball from Slater to Mason who looked all set to increase the lead before the
defenders just managed to get back and win the ball back. North Shields didn’t have to wait
long for another chance and this time Lashley made no mistake. The ball was worked from
defence to midfield and then slipped through to Lashley who calmly rounded the onrushing
keeper and finished into an empty net.
This was the ending of the scoring for the match but both teams kept trying to find another
goal. Blair Adams causing issues down the left side with a couple of dangerous crosses that
had the keeper scrambling but the ball would not quite fall to a North Shields attacker.
Callum Elliott also had to be alert as one final counter attack gave Whickham a chance to
make the final few minutes nervous for the home team.
Home Goal Scorers:
Lee Mason 4’ (pen)
Lee Mason 11’ (pen)
Jordan Lashley 58’Away Goal Scorers:
Kyle Cockburn 23’
Advanced Garage Doors MOTM: Brandon Slater
Attendance: 412
