Tuesday 21st February 2023
Pitching In North Premier League – East Division
Tadcaster Albion 1 – 0 North Shields
‘Robins bubble burst’. By Sam Cave
Two wins on the bounce against very strong opposition, many would have fought that the result on Tuesday night would have only gone one way. However, Tadcaster had other ideas and put a halt to the run of consecutive wins for the Robins.
Just a single change going into the contest with David Robinson stepping in for Tom Potter, the Robins went in search of a third win in a row.
Starting on the front foot, Callum Larmouth with the first chance of the game, seeing his effort put out for a corner, the resulting corner from David Robinson somehow evaded everybody in the penalty area.
GOAL 9’ Tadcaster Albion – Theo Hudson, 1-0
Despite the early possession and pressure being applied by the Robins, it was the hosts who hit first on the counter, a pacy forward line for Tadcaster caused the Robins defense some issues, who struggled to clear their lines, the ball fell to Hudson, who hit a deflected effort leaving Steavens flat footed, as the ball looped into the corner of the net.
With still 80 plus minutes on the clock, there was plenty of time for Robins to get back into the game. They almost were level immediately, good work down the left, the ball found McDonald who swung in a dangerous cross that only needed a touch.
Callum Larmouth closed down Mazfari between the posts for Tadcaster but the ball did not fall for the forward.
McDonald then swung in another dangerous cross with the same outcome, again just a touch and it would have been 1-1.
The hosts were at sixes and sevens throughout the first half, they struggled to keep hold of possession, a different story for the Robins as they were able to see a lot more of the ball but lacked quality at the vital moment.
WIlson held the ball up well to lay off Larmouth, who dragged an effort wide of the target.
Another dangerous cross caused havoc for the Brewers’ defense, the ball pinballing around the 6 yard box for being scrambled out for a corner, which came to no avail for the Robins.
JJ Chrisp tried his luck from distance but was dealt with comfortably by Mazfari.
Half-time was upon us, the Robins feeling disappointed to not be level at the break, plenty of possession and opportunities created but just lacked the all important finish.
The second half started with the Robins on the front foot, Larmouth going close with an effort narrowly wide of the target.
A deep corner was headed back across goal as the hosts struggled to clear their lines, the ball found its way to Walker at the back post, who headed an effort towards goal but lacked the power to beat Mazfari.
The best moment of an equalizer came in the 65th minute, Dan Wilson broke the offside trip, powered his way towards goal, a heavy touch deceived him as the ball rebounded off the outrushing to Mazfari, to the feet of Cunningham in support, who side-footed a first time effort over the bar.
Connor Oliver replaced David Palmer with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Callum Larmouth once again tried his luck from distance as he lashed an effort from just outside the area, which resulted in a throw-in to the hosts.
Liam Doyle was brought on to replace Stephen Forster, who was unable to continue after a 50/50 challenge on halfway.
The hosts almost made sure of the win, when they hit on the counter, Jack Walker with the all important goal line clearance.
David Robinson tried his luck with an effort from just outside the penalty area but it lacked the power required to beat Mazfari.
Regan Paterson was introduced to freshen things up and was involved immediately, too quick down the right hand side, he picked out Wilson in the middle, whose effort was blocked and was diverted to Doyle, who was also unable to beat the Tadcaster defense.
Time ran out for the Robins and they fell to defeat, a poor night where things just didn’t click like they did on Saturday. Tadcaster put in a dogged performance over the course of the 90 minutes made it difficult for Robins to break them down and they were broken down, there was no way past Mazfari.
The Robins have to dust themselves off and go again as they play host to Pontefract Collieries this coming Saturday.
North Shields: Steavens, Forster (Doyle), McDonald, Palmer (Oliver), Jakab, Walker, Chrisp (Paterson), Cunningham, Wilson, Robinson, Larmouth.
Subs not used: Turner
Attendance: 137
Next Up: Pontefract Collieries (H) – Saturday 25th February – 3.00pm
