Tuesday 12th March 2024
EBAC Northern League Division One
Tow Law Town 0 – 2 North Shields
‘Robins return to winning ways’
A cold Tuesday night in Tow Law was the setting as the Robins looked to put an end to 5 game losing streak.
New signing Ben Harmison, was included from the start as he made his second debut for the club.
The Robins started the game off on the front foot looking to attack at every opportunity, the home defense sitting in deep ,looking to curtail any attacks.
Curtis Coppen was called into action as the hosts hit on the counter, providing a crucial block to deny them an opener.
A free flowing move, opened up the home defense, the ball worked to Lewis Henry, who looked to curl his effort into the bottom corner, only to be denied by a good one handed save.
Moments later, Luke Salmon was denied by some dogged defending from the hosts
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 1-0 – CAI PRITCHARD ‘27
The goal that had been coming, a ball over the top, releasing Pritchard into yards of space, hitting a right footed effort, into the front post, leaving the keeper no chance.
Minutes later it could have been Shields and Pritchards second, a dangerous ball across the 6 yard box from McCamley, just inches from Pritchard at the back post.
Approaching half time, the hosts clung on with everything in their might, surviving a goalmouth scramble.
Half time, upon us and the Robins went into the break with a deserved lead, a first half performance which could and probably should have provided more goals.
The second half started in very much a similar vein, McCamley with the first chance, firing over from outside the area.
Ben Harmison was presented with a great opportunity to score on his return to the club, only to be denied by the Lawyers custodian at full stretch.
Luke Salmon found himself being denied, before Will McCamley smashed the follow up into the side netting.
Brian Smith made changes, seeing Dan Cherry and Dean Holmes take the places of Alex Nicholson and Lee Mason respectively.
More changes saw the introduction of Matty Telfer and Kyle Downey in place of Will McCamley and Euan Anderson.
The hosts dug in deep and looked to make a game of it, looking to work their way down the flanks, the defense standing strong, Ben Harmison now playing in the heart of the defense, after the changes being made.
A final change for the Robins saw the introduction of Ewan McGowan to the action in place of Lewis Henry.
PENALTY – NORTH SHIELDS
McGowan found himself involved almost immediately, the youngster driving into the penalty area, to be brought down, giving the match official no other option other than to point at the spot.
GOAL NORTH SHIELDS 2-0 – MATTY TELFER ‘83
A cool composed finish from the youngster, waiting for the keeper to make his move before calmly passing the ball into the opposite corner.
A two goal cushion going into the final 5 minutes, giving the Robins a good platform to see out the final few minutes of the game and ensure that all 3 points returned to North Tyneside.
RED CARD – JOSH EDGELL, TOW LAW TOWN ‘84
The hosts found themselves down to 10 men, Edgell given a straight red for a tackle on McGowan in the middle of the park, the match official showing no hesitation in producing the red card.
In the 90th minute, Pritchard was given a perfect opportunity to cement the victory, looking to replicate the opening goal, choosing to fire an effort at the front post, this time, not quite getting his angles right, the ball skimming past the wrong side of the post.
A dominant performance from the Robins, on top and in control for most of the 90 minutes, putting a halt to the 5 game losing streak, giving the lads a much needed boost as we go into the final straight of the season.
Next up, we welcome Bishop Auckland to the Daren Persson Stadium on Saturday with a 3pm kick off.
North Shields: Dobson, McCamley, Salmon, Kwak, Coppen, Nicholson ©, Henry, Pritchard, Mason, Harmison, Anderson.
Subs: Holmes, Downey, McGowan, Cherry, Telfer
Goal Scorers: Pritchard (‘27), Telfer (‘83)
Attendance: 60
Up Next: Bishop Auckland – Saturday 16th March – 3pm
