Match Report
Tuesday 15th August 2023
Ebac Northern League – Division One
‘Robins leave it late to rescue point’
Newcastle Benfield 3 – 3 North Shields
Dan Iredale made just the one changing to starting XI from Saturday’s draw at home to Shildon with Thomas McIntyre taking the place of Anth Myers as the Robins looked to continue the good run of form.
It was the visitor’s who produced the first half chance of the game when Callum Guy tried his luck from distance but was no issue for Jonny Ball between the sticks.
A quiet start to the game, Dab Turner with the first half chance for the Robins as ventured in the Lions box before losing possession, at the other Jonny Ball was called into action one on one to keep out Benfield’s Jay Errington.
GOAL 16’ NEWCASTLE BENFIELD – CALLUM GUY, 1-0
A quick freekick for the hosts, the ball worked across the box and finished by Callum Guy gave the visitors the lead with just over a quarter of an hour played.
Ten minutes later it was almost two for the hosts, Jay Errington again denied in a one on one situation by Jonny Ball.
GOAL 30’ NORTH SHIELDS – TOM POTTER, 1-1
Paul Van-Zandvliet brought down inside the area, winning the Robins a penalty. Tom Potter stepped up and made no mistakes from 12 yards to draw level.
Andrew Grainger called into action to keep out a Van–Zandvliet after he rose highest inside the penalty area. Moments later, Grainger called upon again to keep out Paterson after great determination from Turner.
Connor Oliver rifled an effort just over the crossbar with a couple of minutes left of the first half.
With four minutes added time indicated by the match official, the Robins were able to carve out a couple of more attempts on goal. Shouts for a second Robins penalty were diminished by the match official after a foul on Potter, before Hird produced another good save out of Grainger.
Half time and the game in the balance, before teams with chances to go in at the break with the lead, what would the second half have in store?
A halftime change saw Connor Gales replace Brad Hird.
Start of the second half, see’s a freekick awarded either team the wiser as both teams attempt to take it. The freekick is eventually awarded to Shields but comes to nothing as its over hit.
Ten minutes into the second half and the Lions found themselves reduced to nine men temporarily as both Callum Guy and Dennis Knight were sent to the sin bin.
Looking to take advantage of the two man advantage, Regan Paterson tried a chipped effort only to be denied by the woodwork.
David Palmer replaced Dan Turner for the Robins second change of the night.
GOAL 67’ NORTH SHIELDS – CONNOR GALES, 1-2
The ball played into the big man, he turned his defender before calmly slotting home to give the Robins the lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.
The Robins almost almost made it three, GAles slipping the ball into the path of Paterson but he saw his effort rise over the crossbar.
The Lions restored to their full allocation and Dennis Knight almost made an instant impact after returning to the field firing narrowly wide.
GOAL 75’ NEWCASTLE BENFIELD – DENNIS KNIGHT, 2-2
Knight fired the hosts level with a screamer with a quarter of an hour left to play.
Counter attacking at its finest, Saw Shields turned defence into attack from a corner, only for the ball into the box to be too close to Grainger.
Jack Leonard replaced Tom McIntre for the Robins third change of the evening.
GOAL 81’ NEWCASTLE BENFIELD – CONNOR WALKER, 3-2
Less than 10 minutes left on the clock and the hosts regained the lead through Connor Walker.
Time running out for the Robins to salvage something from the game, a final change saw Nathan Kidd take the place of Tom Potter.
Six minutes off added time indicated by the match official, one last chance beckoned for the Robins.
A back post header produced a fine save from Benfield’s Grainger even with the offside flag going up.
Grainger involved again getting his palms to a looping effort, guiding the ball away from goal to the frustration of the Robins.
GOAL 90+5’ NORTH SHIELDS – DAVID PALMER, 3-3
One last roll of the dice, the ball worked out wide to Thompson, who floated a high ball into the penalty in and around the penalty spot, Grainger left his line to come and collect, with Paul Van-Zandvliet in close quarters the custodian is not able to get both hands to the ball and can only palm it into the direction of Palmer, who took a touch to compose himself before sliding the ball into the back of the empty net.
A massive relief for the Robins to come away from the game with a point, not the best of performances over the course of the 90 minutes but the unbeaten start continues, another challenging task this coming Saturday we are on the road to take on Crook Town.
Credit to Newcastle Benfield, who gave us a great game of football, making it a battling contest from start to finish, good luck to them for the rest of the season and look forward to welcoming them to the Daren Persson Stadium in January.
North Shields: Ball, Forster, Thompson, McIntyre, Oliver©, Bexton, Potter, Van-Zandvliet, Hird Turner, Paterson.
Goal Scorers: Potter (‘30), Gales (‘67), Palmer (‘90+5)
Attendance: 292
Next Up: Crook Town (A) – Ebac Northern League Div One – Saturday 19th August – 3pm
