North Shields 2 Whitley Bay 0 (03/11/2018) – Revenge a dish best served cold as Robins win El Coastico

Two goals from Callum Johnston and Bobby Taylor helped the Robins to a 2-0 win over close rivals Whitley Bay on a cold Saturday afternoon.

A closely fought first half saw both sides have chances, however, a Johnston penalty was enough to separate the two teams at the break.

Bobby Taylor’s strike midway through the second period gave the hosts the two-goal cushion that they were searching for.

And despite some late pressure applied by the visitors, the Robins comfortably held on for an impressive home victory.

Marc made a number of changes to the side which lost in midweek and one of those changes, Craig Spooner, had the first chance of the game. Following some impressive build up play, Taylor’s deft pass enabled the ex-Newcastle United midfielder to have a shot at goal, however, his effort arrowed inches wide of the post.

With the wind starting to pick up, both teams struggled to maintain possession of the ball.

Ryan Carr was the next Robin to try his luck at the Whitley goal in the 19th minute, only for the striker to slice his effort wide.

Not to be put off by that miss, Carr was at it again in the 25th minute when he was released through on goal, however, Chris Bannon came rushing off his line to bravely smother the ball at the striker’s feet.

As the half went on, it seemed that both teams were going to enter the break level, however, in the 38th minute, Jordan Summerly was brought down in the box by Bannon to earn the Robins a penalty.

Making his first start for the Robins, Johnston stepped up to beat the keeper to his right and score his first goal in a Shields shirt.

The hosts had the bit between their teeth and started the second half in complete control.

In the 53rd minute, some excellent link up play between Taylor and Carr enabled Jack Donnison to burst into the box, however, after controlling the ball, he blazed over from close range.

However, only two minutes later, the Whitley Bay defence failed to deal with another flowing attacking move and Taylor was on hand to rifle the ball past Bannon on the angle to double the Robins lead.

As the game entered the 60th minute, the Seahorses were throwing everything they had at the resolute Robins defence and if not for some truly outstanding defending from Curtis Coppen, the visitors would have very well gotten back into this game.

Despite this, the Robins still found time to create attacks of their own with Adam Forster, who was starting in place of the injured David Hall, having his effort deflected narrowly behind by a retreating defender in the 68th minute.

And as the game went on, the Whitley strikers tried all they could to claw their way back into the game. However, a mixture of brilliant defending and poor shooting enable the Robins to claim the victory and increase the gap between themselves and Whitley below them.

Final Score: North Shields 2 Whitley Bay 0

Attendance: 412

North Shields Starting Eleven: Greg Purvis, Jack Donnison, Jordan Summerly, Adam Forster, Curtis Coppen, Kevin Hughes, Robert Taylor (Sean McRoberts 73), Craig Spooner, Callum Johnston (Gary Day 68), Ryan Carr, Paul Robinson (Chris McDonald)

Unused Substitutes: Liam McNamara & Gary Ormston

Whitley Bay Starting Eleven: Chris Bannon, Craig McFarlane, Jack Cooper, Lewis Walton (Ryan Redford 76), Gavin Caines, Ibrahim Hassan, Kieran Brannen (Lewis Suddick 45), Ben Richardson, Andrei Ardelean (Daniel Taggart 62), Peter Glen-Ravenhill, Luke Salmon

Unused Substitutes: Steve Ramsey & Ben Christensen