Match Report
Saturday 5th August 2023
Emirates FA Cup – Extra Preliminary Round
‘Robins exit FA Cup’
Disappointment for Robins fans as goals for Ashington from Cameron Gascoigne, Wilson Kneeshaw (x2) and Craig Spooner booked the Colliers’ place in the next round.
The hosts carved out the first chance of the game with a good move down the right but a poor cross was a let off for the Robins as they looked to get a foothold in the game.
The Robins struggled to keep a hold of the ball and when in good areas, quality was lacking as the hosts continued to apply pressure on the Robins goal.
Early controversy as the ball was played into the Robins box a tussle inside the penalty area sees both players go down inside the area, the linesman waves for a penalty only to have the decision overturned and a freekick awarded to Shields.
GOAL 10’ ASHINGTON – CAMERON GASCOIGNE, 1-0
The hosts broke the deadlock on the 10 minute mark, the ball worked into the penalty and poor defending inside the area, allowed the ball to travel across the box to the feet of Gascoigne steaming into the box to fire home.
The Robins were presented with a great chance to hit back almost instantly, a freekick awarded down the left hand side for a foul on Salmon, allowed Connor Oliver to swing in a dangerous ball into the box, but the Colliers’ defense did well to clear their lines for a corner kick.
As the half progressed, both sides had half chances, a ball played into the box towards David Palmer with too much on it and Jack Leonard seeing his effort from outside the area, deflected over for a corner the pick of the bunch for the Robins.
GOAL 35’ ASHINGTON – WILSON KNEESHAW, 2-0
The ball given away cheaply on halfway, before a defense splitting pass, put Kneeshaw through on goal, who slotted home beyond Jonny Ball to double their advantage.
Half time approaching and the Robins looking to get in for half time, the hosts awarded a free kick 25 yards out, former Robin Craig Spooner hits a right footed effort, over the wall only to be denied by the post to the relief of Ball and everybody in a red shirt.
One final chance at the half, presented itself when Stephen Forster was allowed to whip in a ball to the Colliers’ penalty area but held well by the Ashington custodian. Moments later, the Ashington keeper was forced into action to punch clear his lines.
Half time upon us and not our greatest 45 minutes of football, a good opportunity to regroup and reset ourselves for the second half. An early goal would give us a boost and give us the opportunity to make a game of it in the second half.
GOAL 47’ ASHINGTON – WILSON KNEESHAW, 3-0
A nightmare start to the second half, Ashingtons’ first attack saw the initial effort rebound off the woodwork to the feet of Kneeshaw to fire home and extend the lead to three.
Tom Potter cut inside from the right and fired an effort wide of the target.
Moments later, Potter again involved, linked up well with Paul Van Zandvliet, working the ball to Connor Gales who scuffed his effort.
The Robins changed things up with Regan Paterson replacing Jack Leonard.
GOAL 60’ ASHINGTON – CRAIG SPOONER, 4-0
The former Robin all but confirmed the result when fired home beyond Ball into the bottom corner.
In a bid to try and get back into the match, another change made saw Brad Hird replace Connor Gales upfront.
Hird was involved almost instantaneously when through on goal, he appeared to be brought down inside the penalty but shouts for a penalty were waved away by the match official.
Hird involved again, played through after great linkup play between Oliver and Salmon, smashed his effort into the side netting at the front post.
A good save from Jonny Ball low down, denied the hosts another goal.
The Robins continued to work hard, despite the scoreline, Tom Potter found himself in the opposition penalty area, only to fire an effort over the top.
The final change of the afternoon for the Robins saw Thomas McIntyre replace Connor Oliver in central midfield.
A Tom Potter cross found the head of Tom Bexton in the middle but the defender’s header lacked the power required to find a way past the Ashington custodian.
In the dying embers of the game, the Robins applied serious pressure to the Ashington goal with a flurry of chances but poor finishing denied them. Firstly Regan Paterson cut inside from the left, before firing a speculative effort over the top.
Tom Potter was played in after the ball was intercepted deep inside Ashington territory, only to hit a tame effort at the Ashington goalkeeper.
Regan Paterson then found himself behind the Ashington backline, drove towards goal only to lash his effort into the side netting.
The match official brought an end to the afternoon’s proceedings after 5 minutes of added time.
Next up for the Robins, we are back in league action as we welcome Carlisle City to the Daren Persson Stadium.
North Shields: Ball, Forster, Salmon, Oliver (McIntyre), Myers, Bexton, Potter, Palmer, Gales (Hird), Van-Zandvliet, Leonard (Paterson).
Attendance: 447
Next Up: Carlisle City (H) – Ebac Northern League Div One – Wednesday 9th August – 7.45pm
