Saturday 20th April 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
Penrith 0 – 2 North Shields
‘Threadbare Robins produce the goods’
With several players unavailable and the gaffer himself unavailable due to family commitments, Steve Cuggy and Sean McCafferty took the reins on the touchline as the Robins traveled to Cumbria to take on Penrith.
With just 14 players to pick from, the Robins took to the field in search of the all important 3 points.
A fairly open start to the game saw both teams look to get a foothold of the game, with the home side taking control in the opening few exchanges.
Callum Dobson was on hand to make the first of a number of crucial saves to deny the hosts, as he stood up strong to keep out the hosts from what looked like a certain opener for them.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1-0 – EUAN ANDERSON ‘13
A defensive mistake from the hosts as a miscommunication in the defense awarded the Robins a corner, a quick routine as a short corner, worked to McGowan who curled a ball to the back post, were Anderson rose highest to guide his header to the back post beyond Taylor between the sticks for the hosts.
MInutes later, the Robins hit on the counter, McCamley with too much pace for the Penrith midfield to handle, McCamley to to his right, Telfer to his left, he continued to drive up the field, only for the ball to become stuck under his feet at the point of look play in McGowan.
Shields found themselves in behind once again, Harmison quickest to react, his cut back to Henry cut out in the nick of time.
At the other, Dobson was on hand to deny the hosts an equalizer, this time with his feet.
Luke Henry picked up the ball on the edge of the Penrith 18 yard box, skipped past two defenders before curling an effort left footed, leaving Taylor no chance, only to see his effort rattle the crossbar and bounce back into play for the hosts to clear their lines.
On the stroke of half time, the Robins once again almost double their advantage, Harmison causing more problems for the hosts, hanging a ball up the back post, Anderson again using his head only for Taylor to make a crucial save, scooping the ball off the line, one handed.
Half time up on, the Robins with the lead at the break, very much deservingly and it could have been more.
After the restart, the first chance fell to Shields, a deep corner finding Coppen at the back post, his effort denied.
On the hour mark, Steve Cuggy made his first change, seeing Dan Cherry replace McGowan after a solid 60 minutes from the youngster.
Ben Harmison continued to cause issues, using his height in the air to bring down the ball on halfway, before turning and trying an audacious effort as he attempted to chip the keeper.
Matty Telfer, causing havoc down the left, turned his man before a ball at the back post, Holmes saw his effort go agonizingly wide of the target to the surprise of all.
At the other end, the hosts reminded the Robins they were still in the game, a cross into the middle, headed to the near post, Dobson rooted as the ball trickled past the post and out of play to the relief of the Robins and the traveling support.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 2-0 – MATTY TELFER ‘75
A through ball finding Holmes, who found himself being tackled to the ground inside the penalty, giving the match official no other option than to point to the penalty spot. Matty Telfer, calmly stroking the ball to the opposite way to double the advantage and increase the noise from the travelling support.
With time running out, the hosts looked to get a way back into the game, a ball through the middle, Dobson racing out the close the angle and making another crucial block to deny the hosts.
More chances for the hosts, a dangerous ball across the penalty area, a Penrith player at the back post, mistiming their jump as the ball skimmed over their head. Another chance saw Luke Henry provide essential defensive cover to win a goal kick to fizzle out the Penrith pressure in the final stages.
The referee bringing the proceedings to an end, saw the noise levels increase from the traveling support who had been in fine voice all afternoon cheering on the lads, to help them get the victory over the line.
A fantastic performance capped off with a brilliant win, seeing the all important 3 points coming back to North Tyneside, seeing us hit the 40 point marker for the season, with 4 games still to play in what is going to be a busy week for the club.
A massive shoutout to the travelling support, whose support is as invaluable as ever, we hope that you can join us again to cheer on the lads for the final 4 games of the season, starting with Monday nights trip to Birtley, with a 7.30pm kick off
North Shields: Dobson, Anderson, Fletcher, Henry, Coppen, Donnelly, McCamley, Holmes ©, Harmison, McGowan ,Telfer.
Subs: Mason, McCafferty, Cherry
Goal Scorers: Anderson (‘13), Telfer (‘75)
Attendance: 260
Up Next: Birtley Town – Monday 22nd April – 7.30pm
