Saturday 20th August 2022
FA Cup – Preliminary Round
North Shields 2 – 0 Seaham Red Star
Robins’ March on
By Sam Cave
North Shields booked their place in Monday’s draw, thanks to a brace from midfield maestro Cam Cunningham.
Marc Nash switched things up with several changes from Tuesday night’s draw at Consett.
Shields started the brightest of the two teams and dominated possession, setting up camp in the opponents half.
The first real chance of the half fell to Dan Wilson, the ball worked down the right hand side and crossed to Wilson who headed off the crossbar from 6 yards.
Shields continued to press and good work from David Robinson, won back possession deep in Seaham territory, who found Cunningham, who’s cross was cleared for a corner.
Captain Connor Oliver, fizzed in a free kick from the right hand side, which somehow evaded everybody in the penalty area.
Seaham struggled to make their way out of their own half, Shields managed to do it for them, as the ball was launched high into the sky, to which bexton did well to guide back to hodgson but the wet conditions guided the ball out for a Seaham corner.
JJ Chrisp cut open the Red Star defense with a long range through ball, which was then crossed to Hird who should have given the Robins the lead with a volley from 12 yards after good work down the right, only to see his effort blocked by Jenson, in the Red Star goal.
Hird was then denied again just a few moments later.
David Robinson fired an effort well wide of the target after Seaham again failed to clear their lines.
JJ Chrisp shot from the edge of the area only to scuff his effort and see it roll out for a goal kick.
Great work again down the right hand side on the brink of half time, gave Regan Paterson the opportunity to open the scoring only for the ball to bobble at the crucial point and hit him at an awkward height to which he was not able to adjust himself in time.
In the 45 minute, Shields got the breakthrough they deserved, Seaham again unable to clear their lines as the ball fell to Cunningham, who calmly slotted past Jenson to give the Robins the lead going into half time.
As the second half commenced, the heavens opened and the crowd of 304, headed for cover around the Daren Persson Stadium.
Goalkeeper Finlay Hodgson was forced off with a hip injury and replaced by Callum Elliot to make his debut for the Robins’.
Seaham used the weather to their advantage and tested the youngster early.
At the other Wilson, had the opportunity to double the Robins’ advantage only to be thwarted by Jenson.
As the weather deteriorated, Seaham grew more into the game and should have been level, when forward Bradley Chisholm broke through the Shields defense only to drag his effort past the upright.
Paul Vandvliet was introduced to the action replacing the hard working Regan Paterson.
Callum Elliot was called into action again to make a fine save full length to his left to get a fingertip on an effort from range.
Shields were then reduced to 10 men with about 15 minutes to go when David Robinson was booked for a second time, for a challenge on the half way line.
The Robins dug in deep as Seaham looked for an equalizer, hitting the woodwork from distance and causing Callum Elliot to be called into action on more than one occasion.
The referee indicated 5 minutes of additional time.
Shields broke on the counter, Hird driving down the left hand side, forging a way into the box, only to pick out a Seaham defender with his cross.
Seaham thought they had equalized, however, Callum Elliot had other ideas, ball played in from the left and headed powerfully on target, only to be denied as Elliot was full stretch to his left, one handed to keep the effort out.
Shields broke away again and Wilson played in Cunningham to beat the offside trap, and Cunningham confirmed Shields name in the hat for Monday’s draw, with another calm finish, slotting the ball below the out rushing Jenson.
As mentioned the draw for the next round of the FA Cup is on Monday at noon, keep an eye out on social media for the result of the draw.
Wednesday night see’s Tadcaster Albion visit the Daren Persson Stadium with a 7.45 Kick Off.
