Match Report
Saturday 26th October
FA Vase First Round Proper
Wakefield AFC 0 – 1 North Shields
‘Harmison heads Robins into second round’
Brian Smith’s side set off for what was take two of their FA VAse First Round tie with Wakefield AFC at the Millenium Stadium.
The squad in good spirits after an impressive midweek win over Guisborough Town, Brian Smith handed starts to Nick Cassidy in defence and Ben Harmison in attack
It was the Robins that made the more promising start, shooting downhill in the first half.
Jamie Holmes’ surging run after two minutes forced the Robins first corner of the game. Moments later Holmes lashed an effort over the top from outside the area.
It took 10 minutes to pass before the hosts were able to muster their first chance of the game, hitting on the break, the effort ballooned over the top.
A free kick in a dangerous spot for the hosts caused little harm to the Robins as the execution was lacking any real conviction.
The hosts tried an audacious effort from 45 yards out, the effort lacking the required power to test Hayes.
Coppen won back possession deep in the Wakefield half, the ball worked to McCamley who over hit his cross.
Minutes later, McCamley in space, produced a much better ball into the penalty area, Harmison rose highest to head an effort home, but also lacked the power required.
30 minutes on the clock, Downey set away Cassidy down the right hand side, his cross headed back into the middle by Lashley, into the path of Harmison who volleyed over from 12 yards.
Half time whistle went with the Robins more in command of the proceedings, creating the more clear cut chances but unable to convert, the hosts looking to hit at w erg possibly with the long ball, causing moments of concern without anything of great danger.
The first chance of the second half falling to the hosts, presented with an opportunity. 30 yards out, a free kick which was dealt with comfortably by Hayes.
GOAL Wakefield AFC 0 – 1 NORTH SHIELDS ‘49 – Ben Harmison
Similar to Wednesday, an early goal at the start to the second half from Brian Smith’s side, a small spell of pressure from the Robins forced a corner, taken short and worked into the penalty area, the ball clipped to the back post where Harmison was on hand to nod home from close range.
An almost instant reply from the hosts, proved to be a massive let off for the Robins, long throw into the middle, Hayes came out to punch, only to miss, the ball bouncing across the 6 yard box, thankfully for Shields nobody was on hand for the hosts to tap home at the back post.
Darren Lough was replaced by Dan Waldon as a precaution after going down with a knock.
Waldons first contribution was forcing a corner after great persistence and pressure on the home defence.
On the hour mark, a second change saw Lewis Suddick replace Jordan Lashley.
Wakefield’s Steve Smith went on a marauding run, skipping past three players in red, only to over hit his pass at the crucial moment.
Jamie Holmes flashed an effort just wide of the post after a great from McCamley as the hosts looked to press for an equalizer.
Kyle Hayes kept the lead intact, Harmison dropping into defence, lost his footing as he looked to usher the ball back to Hayes, Wakefields forward through on goal and looked destined to draw the hosts level but Hayes had other ideas with a superb save from close range.
Danny Anderson replaced Kyle Downey with less than 15 minutes left on the clock.
Lewis Suddick found himself clear through on goal as the Robins hit on the counter, a blatant deliberate foul bringing him down for nothing to be given by the match official, regardless of appeals from everybody associated with the Robins.
The hosts continued to look for a leveller, and thought they had it, Jayden Smith firing an effort from 30 yards that looked destined for the top corner, Kyle Hayes once again with a superb one handed save to tip the effort wide for a corner.
The final few minutes required serious concentration and resilience from the Robins, the back line stood strong, battled for every 50/50 to make sure that the lead remained intact with time running out for the hosts.
With the 5 minutes of added time up, the match official blew the first time whistle, booking the Robins place in the next round where they will welcome Charnock Richard to the Daren Persson Stadium on the 9th November.
A massive shout out and credit to the travelling Robins support, who played their part in helping the Robins get over the line and into the next round.
Next up for the Robins, a midweek trip to Crook Town is on the cards as they visit the Black and Ambers on Wednesday night.
North Shields: Hayes, Cassidy, Lough, Downey, Coppen, E Anderson, McCamley, Forster ©, Harmison, J Holmes, Lashley.
Subs: D Holmes, Suddick, D Anderson,Waldon, McCafferty
Goal Scorers:
Wakefield AFC: N/A
North Shields: Harmison ‘49
Attendance: 346
Next Up: Crook Town (A) – Wednesday 30th October – 7.30pm