This was one of those games where the Robins will feel hard done by and deserved more from. Goals from Joe Walton and Amar Purewal either side of a Connor Oliver neat finish ensured that all 3 points stayed on South Tyneside.
It was the Robins, who started the brighter of the two sides, working the ball well around the pitch.
Cam Cunningham provided the first effort for the Robins’ leaving Sean Newbrook stranded with a towering header from the cross of Tom Potter, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Moments later David Robinson was upended on halfway, producing the first caution of the afternoon.
Good link up play between JJ Chrisp and Dan Wilson forced the Robins first corner of the afternoon.
GOAL 11’ Hebburn Town – Joe Walton, 1-0
Against the run of play, a miscommunication at the back, resulted in a poor pass back to Hodgson who was intercepted by Walton, who slotted home to an empty net.
Good link up play again, this time down the right, provided Potter the chance to whip in a fierce cross, defended well by the hosts.
GOAL 19’ North Shields – Connor Oliver, 1-1
More good link up play down the right, Potter with another fierce cross, latched onto by Connor Oliver with a fine finish into the top corner, giving Newbrook in the Hebburn goal no chance.
Liam Doyle played in Cam Cunningham who looked to be bearing down on goal only to be denied by last ditch tackle.
Moments later, Cam Cunningham was involved again as he intercepted a poor pass, the ball found its way to David Robinson, who was brought down not once but twice inside the penalty area, both appeals waved away by the match referee.
Tom Bexton found himself the referee’s notebook for an attempt in vain to stop a Hebburn counter attack.
As the half wore on, it was Shields who were in the driving seat, dominating possession and looking the more threatening going forward.
JJ Chrisp skipped his way past 3 Hebburn players before hitting a long diagonal to pick out Tom Potter on the right, Potter drove towards goal, beating his man but could only unleash a tame effort, which dragged harmlessly past the post for a goal kick.
Hebburns’ Dan Groves found himself in the referee’s notebook for a foul inside the Robins half.
The first half came to its conclusion with the Robins looking the better of the two sides, deservedly level at the break.
Second half started in the same manner as the first, Shields in the ascendancy, Doyle, WIlson and Cunningham linked up well to break through the Hebburn defence, the ball played to Cunningham at the back post, who at full stretch was able to guide the ball goalward, only to be denied by a fine save from Newbrook on the line.
A few moments later, Dan Wilson turned his man on the edge of the six yard box, fired an effort goal bound, which hit Newbrook before traveling agonizingly wide of the post.
Hodgson at the other end, stood strong as he kept out the hosts.
JJ Chrisp was the next player to find his way in the referee’s notebook for a challenge on half way.
Hodgson was on hand once again to keep the hosts out as they grew more into the game.
Cam Cunningham found space down the right, skipped past his man, squared the ball to Robinson who fluffed his effort to the hosts’ relief.
Regan Paterson replaced Tom Potter with around 25 minutes left on the clock.
Hodgson was called on again, with a comfortable save down to his left.
Hebburn then missed a glorious chance, the Robins giving the ball away cheaply in their own half, Hebburn broke through on goal, only for Hodgson to do enough to put off the attacker.
Luke Heppell replaced Cam Cunningham with 10 minutes left.
A flurry of corners for the hosts provided no real threat to the Robins defence.
Dan Turner replaced Dan Wilson.
GOAL 86’ Hebburn Town – Amar Purewal, 2-1
As the game looked destined for a draw and both teams sharing the spoils, the hosts were awarded a soft freekick on halfway, the floated into the box, only half cleared to the edge of the area, where Purewal volleyed back through a crowd of players and beyond Hodgson.
Things then went from bad to worse for the Robins as they were reduced to 10 men, Regan Paterson beat his man for pace down the left flank and appeared to be taken down. The match official waved away the protests for a foul from the Robins bench and Paterson was giving his marching orders after an interaction with the referee.
Unfortunately time ran out for the Robins to get back into the game and start the year in defeat.
North Shields: Hodgson, Forster, Chrisp, Doyle, Bexton, Walker, Potter (Paterson), Oliver ©, Wilson (Turner), Robinson, Cunningham (Heppell).
Subs not used: Walker
Next game up for the Robins is next Saturday 7th Jan, as we host familiar foe Consett, who drew 0-0 at Belle View earlier in the campaign.
