Monday 27th August 2022
Pitching In North Premier League – East Division
Long Eaton United 3 – 1 North Shields
By Sam Cave
The Robins’ made the 166 mile trip to Nottingham on Saturday in what was seen as the battle of the two promoted champions from last season.
Marc Nash was given a selection headache with 8 players missing.
The traveling Robins support was in good voice as Dan Wilson got the game underway.
Shields started the brighter of the two sides, making progress down the right hand side, good early pressure resulted in the first corner of the game for the Robins’.
At the other end, the Blues’ Rod Orlando-Young appeared to collide with Jack Walker inside the penalty, the shouts for a penalty were waived away by match official Harry Jones.
Moments later Orlando-Young forced his way past the Robins’ defense, lost the ball to a heavy touch and proceeded to slide in on the out-rushing Finlay Hodgson, which resulted in him finding his name in the referee’s book.
Jamie Walker for the hosts then fired over from outside the area.
GOAL 11’ 0-1 – Connor Oliver
The Robins took the lead through Connor Oliver after great work from David Palmer to win a free kick from 25 yards. Oliver with a moment of brilliance, feigned a cross the ball into the box, only to fire a shot into the near post leaving Sam Wilson no chance.
The hosts looked to reply immediately only to be denied by Hodgson tipping over from a deep corner.
Romaine Graham was the next player for the hosts to be booked for a tackle on Stephen Forster.
A late challenge on Paul Van Zandvliet on halfway, resulted in Sam Parker being the third player for the hosts cautioned in the first half hour.
Jamie Walker then had two chances back to back for the hosts, fortunately for the Robins he was only able to side foot an effort wide and head over the bar.
Tom Bexton was on hand to ensure that the Robins went in at half-time with the lead, with a last ditch block to deny Orlando-Young.
The referee got the second half underway and the hosts came out flying to get back into the game.
Finlay Hodgson called into action early doors with a save to his right.
This was followed by a handful of half chances that were never in danger of Hodgsons’ goal.
Dan Wilson at the other end, turned and shot from the edge of the area, only to see his effort dealt with by Blues’ custodian Wilson.
Stephen Forster broke the offside trap in search of a second for the Robins, worked his way into the box only for his cross to narrowly evade a team-mate and cleared for a corner.
Josh Walker found his way into the ref’s book for a challenge.
The Robins’ were handed a life-line after the hosts were unable to convert from inside the 6 yard box.
Marc Nash made his first change of the afternoon with debutant Thomas McIntyre replacing David Palmer.
Tom Marshall fired over from a short corner as the hosts continued to apply pressure in search of an equalizer.
Chris McDonald came in place of Josh Walker and almost made an instant impact, as the Robins’ missed a golden opportunity to double their advantage, a ball crossed in from Liam Doyle was met at the back post by McDonald who fired on target only to be denied by Sam Wilson at full stretch.
Romaine Graham at the other end, vollying wide for the hosts.
GOAL 77’ 1-1 Jermaine Hollis
Less than 15 minutes left and Shields battling hard to keep the hosts out, were undone after scrappy play in the penalty area, the ball found its way to Hollis, who slotted home from 12 yards.
GOAL 79’ 2-1 Ben Hutchinson
A defensive error at the back allowed the Blues to break into the Shields box, the ball squared to Hutchinson who rolled the ball into an empty net.
Rio Joisce replaced JJ Chrisp for the Robins in search of getting back into the game.
GOAL 87’ 3-1 Jamie Walker
As the Robins pushed for an equalizer, a long ball pumped forward from Long Eaton, was headed down to Jamie Walker, who curled an effort from 30 yards over Hodgson.
Paul Van Zandvliet was cautioned in the dying embers of the game for a late challenge.
The referee brought the game to an end, bringing the unbeaten start to the season to an end.
Bank Holiday Monday sees the Robins host our local friends Hebburn Town at the Daren Persson stadium with a 1pm kick off.
