Match Report
Saturday 31st August 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
Shildon 1 – 2 North Shields
‘Robins get the win over the line’
Brian Smith’s side put in the performance of the season yesterday in a hard fought win over Shildon at Dean Street.
Four changes were made from the defeat on Tuesday night at Northallerton Town with Ryan Carr taking the captain’s armband.
The Robins made a promising start to the proceedings with a good multiple pass move to work their way into an attacking position but were unable to add a finish.
GOAL ‘8 – SHILDON 1-0 – LEIGHTON HARRIS
After the promising start from the Robins, the hosts found their feet in the game and provided their own spell of pressure on the Robins defence, a number of crucial blocks and tackles denied the hosts, however, a shot from the edge of area was parried by Hodgson, Harris reacted quickest inside the six yard box and finished to give the hosts an early lead.
The Robins went in search of a response but for a short spell were unable to keep hold of possession long enough as the hosts looked to add a quick second goal.
The Robins composed and able to regroup, started to get a grip of the game and keep the ball, passing it around looking for the right moment to break through the hosts defence.
A quick break from the Robins as they turned defence into attack, looked promising as the ball was played over half way to McCamley only for his touch to evade him as the home defence recovered.
The pressure from the Robins continued to build, a ball over the top, Ryan Carr timing his run well to beat the offside trap, Carr running in on goal, the ball getting stuck under his feet denying him the opportunity to get off a shot.
Curtis Coppen displayed neat skill and composure to turn on half way, with two Shildon players closing him down to ensure that the Robins remained on the front foot in search of an equaliser.
GOAL ‘36 – NORTH SHIELDS 1-1 – RYAN CARR
The pressure from the Robins finally paying off, another good move, passing the ball well and moving quickly not allowing the hosts defence to settle, a ball down the right hand flank to Lewis Henry who dropped his shoulder, sending the defender the wrong way before making his ascent on the Shildon goal, cutting onto his left and crossing into the middle, where Ryan Carr was on hand to rise highest inside the penalty area and power his header into the back of the net.
The Robins deservedly level, looked for a quick second goal, a quick throw releasing Darren Lough in behind the hosts defence, who were at sixes and sevens, Lough glided towards the byline before cutting the ball into the middle, Waldon battled well to get on the end of it but the hosts were able to scramble the ball clear.
A freekick on halfway saw Kyle Downey look for the head of Curis Coppen, who was inches away from making a connection.
One last chance of the half was presented to the hosts, poor play from the Robins at the back, Shildon with an effort from the edge of the area, Hodgson with a flying save to his right to ensure the score was level at the break.
The second half started with the hosts the brighter of the two sides, an early chance saw them glance a headed effort wide of the target.
Moments later another chance fell to hosts, this time the chance ballooned over the top from outside the area.
The Robins first chance of the half involved McCamley working his way down the left, crossing the ball into the box, where the hosts managed to clear for a corner, the resulting corner causing issues at the front post, once again the hosts able to scramble the ball clear.
Another good chance for the Robins fell to Lough after good work from Carr to win back possession inside the Shildon box, Lough’s effort not the cleanest of strikes and it flew high and wide of the target.
GOAL ‘63 – NORTH SHIELDS 1-2 – DAN WALDON
Free kick awarded to Shields, floated into the far post and headed back across goal, Waldon on hand to scramble the ball home from close range to give the Robins the lead and see Waldon get his first Robins goal.
The Robins almost made it three, a great move, McCamley continuing to cause havoc, cutting the ball inside to Downey, who couldnt find a way past Newbrook with his effort.
Adam Forster replaced Kyle Downey with 20 minutes left to play.
Hodgson was on hand to keep out a Shildon effort from range, fumbling the effort but able to recover.
At the other end, a lapse in concentration from the hosts presented the Robins a golden opportunity to settle the game, Ryan Carr picking up the ball before creating space for himself, only to see his effort fly agonisingly wide of the post.
Double change for the Robins saw the introductions of Lee Mason and Morgan Dart in place of Dan Waldon and Lewis Henry.
RED CARD ‘90+ – NORTH SHIELDS – WILL MCCAMLEY
Shields found themselves reduced to 10 men in the dying embers of the game, McCamley fouled, giving the Robins freekick, in the process of going down, the Shildon player also goes down, after deliberation from the match official, it was decided both players to be booked, unfortunately for McCamley it would be his second of the afternoon and the end of his game.
Right at the death, a heart in mouth moment for everybody involved with the Robins, a Shildon player went down inside the penalty area, under pressure from the Robins defence, the match official blowing his whistle with the away support expecting the worst, only for the official to point the other way and award a free kick for simulation.
The official brought the proceedings to a conclusion, ensuring that the three points in came home with the Robins, a brilliant performance from Brian Smith’s squad, putting in the best performance of the season so far.
North Shields: Hodgson, Marrs, Lough, Downey, Coppen, E Anderson, McCamley, D Anderson, Waldon, Carr ©, Henry.
Subs: Dart, Adaowo, Mason, Fletcher, Forster.
Goal Scorers: Ryan Carr ‘36, Dan Waldon ‘63
Attendance: 288
Next Up: Redcar Athletic (H) – Wednesday 4th September – KO 7.30pm
