Wednesday 7th August 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
North Shields 3 – 2 Penrith
‘Robins resilience rewarded with late winner’
After Saturday’s disappointing exit from the FA Cup to the hands of Newcastle Blue Star, Brian Smith named 4 changes to the starting XI including Ryan Carr who rejoined the club in the summer and new summer signing Morgan Dart.
From the outset it looked obvious that the Robins were looking to respond to Saturday’s defeat in a positive manner and went on the attack from the very start, the first real chance came from Jamie Holmes, who skipped past three defenders only to see his cross blocked inside the penalty area.
The attacking manner continued with Morgan Dart holding the ball up well before laying off to Jamie Holmes, who saw his strike dealt with well by Craig Hunter between the sticks for the visitor’s.
Jamie Holmes continued to cause problems for the visiting defence, who were unable to cope with his pace and skill, once again skipping past them before squaring into the penalty area, the cross deflected goal bound to be tipped over by Hunter.
Nick Cassidy provided a dangerous ball into the penalty area which the visiting defense did well to clear with players in red arriving into the penalty area.
On the half hour mark, Brian Smith was forced into making a change as Dean Holmes was unable to continue through injury.
GOAL PENRITH 0-1 – ROBBIE HEBSON ‘37
Without providing much of a threat to the Robins goal, the visitors found themselves in the lead, a neat pass catching out the Robins defence, Hebson quickest to the ball, rounding Hodgson and passing home.
With time in the first half running out, the Robins went in search of an equalizer before the break, continuing to press forward, the visiting defence forced to clear their lines for a corner, another good delivery from Cassidy but the ball would just not fall to a fellow teammate.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1-1 – RYAN CARR ‘45+1
Right on the stroke of half time, just enough time left on the clock for one more Robins attack, a long ball not cleared by the Penrith defence, the ball dropping into the path of Ryan Carr, who was able to take a touch, look up and compose himself before hitting an effort on the half volley into the far bottom corner.
Half time upon us and the teams level, the Robins on top for a majority of the half, creating the better goal scoring opportunities but just not being able to make the hard work count, the visitors hitting the Robins where it hurts most, taking the lead very much against the run of play.
The second half underway and the Robins continuing in the same manner, Morgan Dart played through on goal, chased down by the Penrith, appearing to have his shirt pulled back in the process, trying all he can to stay on his feet before going down inside the penalty area, all shouts for a foul waved away by the match official.
More changes for the Robins saw the introductions of Liam Marrs and Lee Mason in place of Flyn Williamson and Morgan Dart with around 20 minutes left on the clock.
A further change saw Lewis Henry replace Adam Forster with around 15 minutes left to play.
Will McCamley danced past two players, before laying the ball off to Marrs, who tried his luck from outside the area but was unable to steer his effort goal bound.
The visitors made a number of changes of their own as they looked to freshen things up and try to sneak a late winner.
The tide turned after the substitutions as the visitors went on the attack, creating two great goal scoring opportunities only for poor finishing to let the Robins off.
GOAL PENRITH 1-2 – CONNOR SHIELDS ‘86
With time running out, the visitors looked to press forward, poor defending from the Robins, failing to clear their lines, the ball whipped across the penalty area to Shields’ at the back post, who had the easiest of finishes to give the Bonny Blues a late lead.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 2-2 – RYAN CARR ‘87
Ryan Carr getting his entry in early for goal of the season, Alex Nicholson breaking over halfway, skipping past two players before playing the ball square to Ryan Carr, who hit a first time right footed effort from a full 30 yards out, giving Penrith keeper Craig Hunter no chance of stopping it despite his best efforts.
Five minutes added time indicated by the match official, Nicholson playing the ball into the penalty area, spilled by Hunter, fortunately for him, nobody in red was able to react quick enough.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 3-2 – LEE MASON ‘90+5
The best time to score a winner, right at the death, the Robins continuing to press forward looking for a winner, Finlay Hodgson clearing his lines, picking out Jamie Holmes on the flank, who kills the ball with first touch, holding off his marker, before playing a ball over the top of the Penrith defence, which Lee Mason ghosts through taking a touch before picking his spot beyond Hunter and giving the Robins a very late lead.
The result capping off a brilliant Robins performance, showing great attacking prowess throughout and fully deserving of the win to the expense of Penrith, who with 5 minutes left on the clock thought they had won it and were taking the 3 points back to Cumbria with them but the Robins resilience shone through and never stopped to the final whistle.
North Shields: Hodsgon, Cassidy, Williamson, Forster, Coppen, Nicholson, McCamley, D Holmes, Dart, Carr, J Holmes.
Subs: Fletcher, Henry, D Anderson, Mason, Marrs.
Goal Scorers: Carr ‘45+1, ‘87, Mason ‘90+5
Attendance: 227
Advanced Garage Doors MOTM: Ryan Carr
Next Up: West Allotment Celtic (A) – Saturday 10th August – KO 3pm
