North Shields come from a goal down to beat near-rivals Whitley Bay 3-1 in the first El Coastico derby of the season.
The teams headed out onto the turf lead by home mascot Rhys Brunton to Red Red Robin bellowing out of the PA System.
Whitley Bay got the game underway with North Shields shooting towards the Conifer end of the ground. It was North Shields who started the brightest with Paul Robinson having an effort from outside the area but Whitley goalkeeper Daniel Lister managed to save with ease.
It was North Shields who had another shot at goal with Scott McCarthy doing well with a run down the channel and having a shot saved by the ‘keeper. North Shields continued to add pressure at the Whitley goal however Kyle Patton and Scott McCarthy both saw an effort saved and go wide of the goal.
Whitley Bay managed to deal with this pressure and were awarded a penalty by referee Alex Clark as Greg Purvis brought down Michael Colquhoun. Shepherd took the penalty and sent Greg Purvis the wrong way and take the lead on the 15th minute.
As the visitors took the lead, this spurred the home side on, with a cross not being dealt with by the Whitley defence, the poor clearance fell to Scott McCarthy on the 21st minute who bundled the ball home to equalise the game.
Whitley Bay began to grow into the game, and on 30th minute Michael Colquhoun took advantage of another defensive slip to find himself one on one with the keeper, but Greg Purvis saved well low down, Marcus Giles putting the rebound high and wide.
The Robins had the chance to go ahead as on the 40th minute, Cam Cunningham setting up a chance for Kyle Patton which brought a good save from Daniel Lister that ensured the teams went in level at half time. 1-1.
Whitley Bay started the second half brightly, and looked to use their pace up front to get in behind the North Shields defence on a heavy pitch that was making passing football difficult. The visitors had a strong claim for a penalty denied on 58th Minute, after Marcus Giles was clearly brought down in the area after checking his run, only for the referee to wave the appeals away. Whitley Bay again continued to pressure the North Shields goal with Greg Purvis again pulling off an excellent save.
With the game level, Marc Nash and the management team began to make changes with Callum Patton replacing Paul Robinson. This added a bit of energy to the team as Paul Van-Zandvliet had a chance to take the lead with a header being cleared off the line. Only moments later the young midfielder Paul Van-Zandvliet rose up above the defence and powered a header into the back of the net with the North Shields lad giving the home side the lead in this encounter. After a stoppage in play due to an injury to Greg Purvis a substitution was made with Callum Smith replacing Scott McCarthy.
The game was then put to bed after a bad error from ex-North Shields goalkeeper Daniel Lister who misjudged a header outside of the box and the ball rolled towards the goal with the Whitley Bay defence and goalkeeper watching on as substitute Callum Smith finished from a tight angle for his first goal for the club.
Salt was then added to the wound as referee Alex Clark gave James Martin his marching orders after a second bookable offence. Marc Nash then brought Jamie Clark for the final few moments as he replaced Cameron Cunningham.
The referee then brought the first #ElCoastico to an end with an impressive crowd of 676 with North Shields running out 3-1 winners against close rivals Whitley Bay.
Man of the match: Paul New
North Shields XI: Purvis, Cassidy, McDonald, Ormston (c), New, Williams, Cunningham (Clark), Van-Zandvliet, McCarthy (Smith), Robinson (C.Patton), K.Patton
Subs not used: Christensen, Buchanan
Whitley Bay XI: Lister, Smith, Martin, Anderson, Taylor, Lowery (c), Orrell, Robinson, Colquhoun, Shepherd (Fairley), Giles (McFarlane)
Subs not used: Hird, Olsen, Bexton
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