North Shields 2 – 1 Carlton Town
One change from Wednesday’s draw with Dunston saw Liam Doyle replace David Palmer in midfield as the Robins looked to continue to climb the league table and extend their unbeaten run.
It was the visitors who came flying out of the blocks and take a foothold of the game using striker Aaron Opoku as their vocal point of their attacking.
GOAL 4’ 0-1, Aaron Opoku
Long ball over the top that the Robins defence were unable to deal with, Opoku latched onto it, muscled his way through on goal, rounded Hodgson before slotting home to give the visitors an early lead.
The Robins found themselves one down and had to face a combination of Carlton pressure and windy conditions as they tried to look for a way back into the game.
Dan Wilson had the first half chance for Robins, played through only to see his effort blocked for a corner.
Carlton Town were on the search for a second and it almost came, Opoku again finding space inside the area but unable to divert an headed effort goalbound.
Chris McDonald was on hand with a vital block inside the 6 yard box to keep the visitors out.
Alex Howes whipped in a dangerous corner for the visitors, which went agonizingly wide of the far post.
At the other end, Chris McDonald whipped in a dangerous corner for the Robins but the ball evaded everybody as it traveled through the penalty area.
Regan Paterson fired high over from outside the area as the Robins continued to look for a way back into the game.
30 minutes passed and Shields were still looking for a way back into the game but unable to create a clear cut opportunity.
Forster was brought down just outside of the penalty area after a marauding run up the right hand side, Chris McDonald saw his effort collide with the wall.
Dan Wilson hit the post after he muscled his way into the penalty area.
Finlay Hodgson kept the visitors out with a superb save low down to his left to keep out a certain second for the visitors.
GOAL 44’, 1-1 Dan Wilson
On the stroke of half time, the Robins found themselves level. Doyle and McDonald combined well to work the ball into the box, David Robinson saw his effort tipped onto the bar before Wilson pounced to head home.
Halftime was upon us and Carlton would have felt somewhat disappointed to not go into the break with the lead after looking the most dangerous of the two sides, the Robins will have been relieved to go in level, after not playing at their best.
Second half started and now with the wind behind the Robins went on the attack and almost took the lead immediately after the restart through Robinson who poked an effort beyond MIchael Emery only to see his effort hit the outside of the post.
Jack Walker then headed an effort narrowly over from a corner.
Shields continued with the pressing playing and looked like a completely different side from the first half.
David Robinson found himself through again, beating Emery once again, rounding him before seeing his effort diverted out for a corner.
Good build up play provided Shields with another chance, this time JJ Chrisp curled an effort over the bar from outside the box.
PENALTY MISS – Carlton Town
In the 62 minute, Carlton Town were awarded a penalty after Finlay Hodgson brought down Opoku inside the penalty area. The resulting penalty was rattled off the crossbar letting Shields off the hook.
Marc Nash made a double swap with Antonio Agostinho and Dan Turner taking the places of Dan Wilson and Regan Paterson.
Chris McDonald forced a corner with an effort from range, the quick corner routine found Paul Van Zandvliet who saw his effort be driven into the ground and over the top.
Finlay Hodgson found himself in the wars coming face to face with a Carlton player as he came rushing out to deal with a long ball over the top.
Carlton Town were awarded a free kick to the amazement of almost everybody as it appeared that Dan Turner was on the receiving end of the challenge on half way.
Luke Heppell replaced Paul Van Zandvliet with a quarter of an hour left on the clock.
Finlay Hodgson was in the wars again, as a Carlton Town player crashed into him as came to catch a ball into the box, resulting in him requiring medical attention.
With a matter of minutes left on the clock both teams continued to search for a winner, the visitors almost got one only to be denied a last ditch interception from JJ Chrisp to keep them out.
GOAL 90’, 2-1 Antonio Agostinho
Ball over the top which caught out the entire Carlton Town back line, Agostinho raced through and was too quick for the defence to recover as he composed himself to slot home beyond Emery to give the Robins the lead.
Carlton had one last roll of the dice, a corner in the 6th minute of added time, everybody sent up including Emery, the ball headed over harmessly and provided Shields with all 3 points which at one point looked very unlikely.
North Shields: Hodgson, Forster, McDonald, Doyle, Myers, Walker, Van Zandvliet (Heppell), Chrisp, Wilson (Agostinho), Robinson, Paterson (Turner).
Subs not used: Palmer, Steavens
Next game up for the Robins is an away trip on Saturday 28th October to Sheffield FC’s ‘The Home of Football Stadium’ with a 3pm kick off.
