Match Report
Saturday 14th December 2024
Isuzu FA Vase Third Round
Redcar Athletic 1-2 North Shields
‘Magic of the FA Vase strikes again’
With the tension built up after last week’s postponement, it was finally here as FA Vase day was upon us.
Heading into the third round contest against yet another Northern League counterpart in this season’s competition, this time Redcar Athletic the hosts in what would be the Robins toughest test so far.
Lashley produced the first chance for the Robins, skipping past two players before seeing his shot blocked.
At the other end, Hayes was forced into a good save low down.
McCamley produced magic down the right to create his space for himself before picking out Suddick in the box, who saw his effort on goal saved well.
The hosts looked to take control of the game, moving the ball around well looking for a space to open to attack, frustrated by a disciplined Robins side, working in unison to deny the hosts from breaking through the lines with any real conviction.
When they did manage to break through, Hayes was on hand to make a superb save with his feet.
The Robins were patient and able to absorb the pressure from the hosts, causing issues with the press as the hosts looked to play out from the back, possession won back inside the Redcar half, worked into the box and played back to Suddick who fired off, a let off for the hosts.
The game approaching half time both teams taking a tentative approach, very much a game of chess, both teams assessing the opposition, birthday boy Curtis Coppen almost gave the Robins the lead before the break, rising highest inside the penalty area to meet Suddick’s corner, his headed effort agonizingly wide of the post.
At the other end, Hayes was called into action once again, scrambling well to fingertip a lobbed effort away to safety to keep the scoreline level at the break.
Half time upon us, a game which saw the hosts have a large proportion of possession, limiting the Robins to very few spells of possession, moving the ball around well at the back, looking to play out from the back, only to be met by a well disciplined Robins side, cutting off the passing lanes, hunting in packs to win back possession, ultimately forcing the hosts to play the long ball and turn over possession. A half of very few chances, good saves made by both keepers.
The first chance of the second half fell to Mason, more great work from McCamley who had switched sides, created space for providing a deep cross to the back post, picking out Mason, who volleyed an effort goal bound but couldn’t find the connection required.
At the other end, great defensive work was required to keep the hosts out, a spell of pressure seeing the hosts have chances with a free kick and corner, kept out well by the Robins defence.
SIN BIN – REDCAR ATHLETIC – Mark Anderson ‘58
Just before the hour mark, the hosts found themselves temporarily down to 10 men. Following a foul awarded against the hosts and a discussion between the midfielder and the official, Anderson was sent to the dugout.
With the man advantage, the Robins looked to capitalize, two great efforts generated for the Robins to take the lead, firstly, the hosts defence able to recover in time and clear off the line, moments later Mason, flicked an effort goal bound at the front post, narrowly wide of the mark.
A further chance fell to Lashley, driving his way through the middle of the pitch, skipping past defenders before smashing an effort just over the top.
GOAL REDCAR ATHLETIC 1-0 North Shields – Bradley Fewster ‘67
Unable to make the one man advantage count, the hosts struck, the ball given away cheaply at the back, the hosts punished the Robins with a neat finish to give them the lead with just over 20 minutes left of the clock.
Just a few minutes later, the hosts almost had a second, which may have killed the game off, a great save much required save from Hayes denying them.
A double change for the Robins saw the introduction of Dan Waldon and Ryan Carr in place of Dean Holmes and Lee Mason.
Coppen once again rose highest to connect with his head, his effort dropping wide of the post.
With 10 minutes left of the clock, Suddick beat the offside trip, racing through on goal, unselfishly squaring the ball rather than taking the chance on himself as the hosts were once again able to recover and clear their lines.
Into the final 5 minutes, McCamley jinking and twisting on the edge of the area, creating enough space for himself to get off a shot, only to hit the outside of the upright to the frustration of himself and the following support.
GOAL Redcar Athletic 1-1 NORTH SHIELDS – Dan Waldon ‘86
With the Robins looking like they were about to be exiting the competition, step up substitute Dan Waldon, his first chance since coming on, Harmison flicking the ball into his direction inside the penalty area, the youngster picking his spot before firing the ball home, the superb away following in fine voice all afternoon, turning up the volume that extra notch.
Another change for the Robins saw Kyle Downey replace Adam Forster as the game moved into added time.
GOAL Redcar Athletic 1-2 NORTH SHIELDS – Jordan Lashley ‘90+3
With the contest looking like it was to be decided by a penalty shootout, step up, Jordan Lashley, the game very much one way traffic, the Robins pressing for a late winner, the ball worked to Jordan Lashley, skipping his way into the penalty before unleashing a ferocious strike into the far corner, sparking scenes of pandemonium.
The final whistle blowing confirming the Robins advance to the next round, where they will take on West Didsbury and Chorlton on Saturday 11th January at the Daren Persson Stadium.
North Shields: Hayes, Marrs, Lough, D Holmes, Coppen, Harmison, McCamley, Forster ©, Mason, Suddick, Lashley.
Subs: Downey, Waldon, Cassidy, E Anderson, Carr.
Goal Scorers:
Redcar Athletic: Fewster ‘67
North Shields: Waldon ‘84, Lashley 90’+3.
Attendance: 266
Next Up: West Auckland Town (H) – Tuesday 17th December – 7.30pm – Northern League
