After a successful outing at home last Saturday against Morpeth Town, The Robins hit the road again, going south of the river towards Dunston, the place where footballing legend Paul Gascoigne and AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson were born. And no, we’re not having a lads’ shopping trip at the Metrocentre.
We’re instead going to play Dunston UTS, a formidable side that plays in the Northern Premier League – East, one step in the Non-League ladder above our North Shields. It should prove a good test for Brian Smith and his side, who are aiming for promotion into this league come the end of the season.
This fixture happened exactly one year ago (minus one day!) and it ended in a 2-all draw. Dunston opened the scoring through JJ O’Donnell, before Brandon Slater and Nelson Ogbewe put the Robins 2-1 up. However at the death, Shields’ defences were broken through by Jack Walker to see that the game ended level.
Dunston finished in the playoff spots last season, showing their quality throughout the course of an entire season. They eventually lost in the first round of the playoffs to 3rd-placed Emley AFC. After adding former Robin Callum Ross and a handful of other new signings, they look ready to kick on and finally go that extra mile for promotion.
Brian Smith’s Shields will be looking to once again increase their match fitness and get the squad working as a unit in time for the start of the season. New signings Dan Wilson and James Sloan have settled into this preseason well, with both players getting a lot of minutes and Wilson even finding the scoresheet on his first game back as a Robin.
The player that looks in fine form for Shields, however, is the big man Stephen Hall. He recorded braces in both of North Shields’ pre-season fixtures, and will be looking to keep that momentum going tonight.
North Shields FC is saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong UTS fan John Tait, and we offer our sincere condolences to the club and all that knew him.
If you’re coming down to the game tonight, safe travels and thank you for all of your support.
HOWAY THE ROBINS!
MATCH INFORMATION
Dunston UTS FC vs North Shields FC
Tuesday 14th July
UTS Stadium, Wellington Road, Gateshead, NE11 9JL.
£5/£3/£1
