Northallerton Town 2-3 North Shields: Patton Strikes late to claim all three points

Shields travelled to Northallerton Town for the first time since September 2014 in the first round of the FA Vase where North Shields secured a 1-0 victory in what was the start of the trophy winning campaign. Northallerton, who sit in 16th place are looking for the third consecutive victory after most recently beating Newton Aycliffe. North Shields are third in the league at the moment.

Teams:

Northallerton Town FC

Andy Coulson, Neil Pattinson, Gary Shaw, Stephen Cheeseman, Dan Jones ©, Jack Proctor, Ryan McKendry, Andrew Shepherd, Connor Lowes, Dave Hillerby, Callum Smith 

Subs: Nicky Martin, Josh Elcoate, Lucas Bell, Cameron Holliday.

North Shields FC

Greg Purvis, Nick Cassidy, Ben Christensen, Gary Ormston, Paul New, Rhys Williams, Cameron Cunningham, Adam Forster©, Scott McCarthy, Ryan Carr, Kyle Patton

Subs: Connor Campbell, Paul Robinson, Paul Van-Zandvliet, Wayne Buchanan, Bradley Skirpan.

Referee: Miss Helen Conley

There had been a lot of rain in the last few days but after a series of pitch inspections the referee deemed the ground playable. Northallerton would wear their black and white vertical striped shirts whereas Shields would wear their yellow and green away strip.

Being the nearest Saturday to remembrance Sunday a minute’s silence was observed before the game. Northallerton were soon in their stride with Ryan McKendry trying a shot however a last ditch challenge from Ben Christensen deflected it wide. Gary Shaw took the corner and found Jack Proctor in the box who headed over the bar. Rhys Williams had an effort go over the bar for Shields as a free kick from Nick Cassidy was drifted into the box and the centre half tried his luck but sent his effort over the bar.

With The Robins well on top of the game Scott McCarthy was found in a lot of space on the right who managed to work his way into the box with a good piece of skill however was cleared away.

In the 13th minute North Shields scored a great goal through captain Adam Forster who hit an effort at goal from 22 yards out past the stranded goalkeeper Andy Coulson. The goal spurred the hosts on as Dave Hillerby took a free kick and found the head of Dan Jones who headed just past an upright. The inform Kyle Patton was next to try and increase the lead with another fine run forward saw Patton have an effort sent over the cross bar from a difficult position.

A nasty challenge from Jack Proctor left Kyle Patton down receiving treatment as North Shields gathered into the box for the upcoming free kick taken by Nick Cassidy finding Ryan Carr at the back post who headed across goal finding Scott McCarthy in the centre of the goal to fire home giving North Shields a two goal lead.

Ryan McKendry and Callum Smith combined to create a chance for Connor Lowes and from the resultant ball Ryan McKendry won a corner taken by Gary Shaw. The ball found its way to Dave Hillerby who swivelled and hit a tremendous shot from outside the area to pull a goal back for Northallerton. The half ended with referee, Helen Conley bringing the Northallerton players together after another nasty challenge left Cam Cunningham this time down in pain.

Half time: Northallerton Town FC 1 North Shields FC 2

Attendance was announced as 161 as the teams changed ends with no changes to either side. North Shields started the brightest after a lax end to the first half with Cam Cunningham firing a fine effort at goal but was parried wide from Andy Coulson. Andrew Shepherd fired in a shot which was deflected for a corner.

From a corner Ryan McKendry was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Callum Smith stepped up converted the penalty despite Greg Purvis getting a hand onto it.  Andy Coulson saved a shot from point blank range.  The Northallerton ‘keeper could not cope with a cross from Cunningham as the ball landed at the feet of Kyle Patton who looked destined to score however he had his shot cleared away.

Connor Campbell and Paul Robinson came on and replaced Scott McCarthy and Cam Cunningham to bring a different spin onto the game. Paul Robinson’s first action was doing what he does best as he took on 3 defenders with a triple chop getting the ball out of danger.

North Shields made their final change with Paul Van-Zandliet replacing Ryan Carr. In time added on, the inform striker, Kyle Patton outsprinted Jack Proctor and continued his skillful run and slid the ball past Andy Coulson to give Shields a huge goal in the game with his 13th goal since joining in the summer.

The game was then brought to an end as the referee blew the full time whistle increasing North Shields’ winning run to 10 games much to the delight of the away supporters who were in fine voice throughout the game. The victory lifts North Shields to 2nd place in the Northern League Division 1 table.

Full time: Northallerton Town FC 2 North Shields FC 3