A minute’s silence was impeccably observed prior to kick off as everybody inside the Hudgell Solicitors stadium paid their respects.
The game started with Shields going straight on the offensive and looking to dominate the flow of the game from the outset.
Dan Turner was played in over the top and brought down inside the area but any appeal for a penalty was waived away by the match official.
Shields continued to press high up the pitch and force Bridlington to play a long ball game.
Paul Van Zandvliet headed wide from a deep Chris McDonald cross.
Bridlington’s Matthew Dixon made a piercing run through the Robin’s defensive line before unleashing a tame effort that was not an issue for Finlay Hodgson to gather.
Tom Bexton was then on hand to provide defensive cover after possession was given away cheaply on halfway.
Shields should have been punished soon after when once again possession was given away cheaply in midfield only to be let off by a poor cross come shot, which found its way to the side netting.
The hosts then had a penalty shout of their own waived away.
Dan Turner was played in over the top by Stephen Forster but was not able to evade the Bridlington defence as he tried to forge a way through on goal.
Great build up lay between Paul Van Zandvliet and Stephen Forster, presented Dan Wilson with a great chance in the middle but unfortunately was not able to steer his headed effort goalwards.
Bridlington then had a chance to capitalize from a long ball pumped over the top, the ball played into the penalty area only for the shot to be sent harmlessly wide of the target.
David Robinson worked hard to win the Robins a corner but nothing was to come from it.
Stephen Forster then picked out David Robinson in the middle of the box but he was not able to find the target with a headed effort.
A poor first half came to its conclusion with the score at 0-0, neither team able to create any clear cut opportunities and neither keeping being put to the test, the game could only improve in the second half.
Shields made an attacking start to the second half and were caught offside 3 times in the opening exchanges of the half.
GOAL 1-0, 50’ Dan Wilson
Build up play down the right hand side, the ball worked to Forster who zipped in a cross flicked on by Robinson to Wilson who fired home in front of the traveling support to give the Robins the lead.
GOAL 1-1, 52’ Ali Aydemir
Bridlington pinned back the Robins almost instantly from the restart, the ball found its way through to Aydemir who fired low and hard beyond Hodgson to draw the Seasiders level.
Shields looked to get some rhythm going and looked to work the ball into the box but lacked the required quality.
Regan Paterson came on for Dan Turner as a new outlet up front.
JJ Chrisp swung in a teasing cross which was intercepted by Bridlingtons James Hitchcock between the posts.
Another piece of good build up play found Connor Oliver who swung an effort across the face of goal to JJ Chrisp who scuffed his effort wide of the target.
David Palmer took the place of Paul Van Zandvliet in midfield.
JJ Chrisp then went on a run, beating his man before unleashing an effort which was no issue for Hitchcock.
David Robinson outmuscled his man drove into the penalty and squared to Dan Wilson in the middle, who was denied by a last ditch interception.
Tom Potter replaced JJ Chrisp with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Bridlington broke forward only to be denied by a fine block from Tom Bexton to keep the hosts at bay.
A succession of corners for the hosts provided no harm to the Robins goal as the Robins defence stood strong.
Tom Potter then picked out David Robinson at the other end but was unable to find the target with a headed effort.
Regan Paterson then forced a save out of Hitchcock after being played in over the top by Wilson.
Stephen Forster was called on for defensive duties to put a dent in a Bridlington counter attack.
Tom Bexton was then on hand with a crucial block which resulted in a corner kick to the hosts.
GOAL 90+3, 1-2 Jack Yates
Deep into stoppage time and the Robins switched off, they were caught out by a short corner routine, which found Yates at the back home to nod home and give the hosts a very late lead and the all important three points.
A disappointing afternoon for the Robins which looked promising at one point when they took the lead early on the second half. Over the course of the 90 minutes, a draw would have been a fair result but it was not to be we were punished for lapse in concentration late on.
North Shields: Hodgson, Forster, McDonald, Oliver, Bexton, Walker, Chrisp (Potter), Van Zandvliet (Palmer), Wilson, Robinson, Turner (Paterson).
Subs not used: Cunningham, Doyle
Next game up for the Robins is on Wednesday night when we host Graham Fenton’s Blyth Spartans in the Northumberland Senior Cup.
