A magnificent shot from the half way line by Paul Robinson capped off a fine performance as the Robins beat Ryhope CW 3-0.
Ryan Carr’s goal early in the first half followed by a Robinson shot from just outside the penalty area gave the Robins the half time lead.
Despite coming under pressure in the second period, the visitors kept pressing, with Gary Day having an effort ruled out for offside.
And as the heavens opened, Robinson’s speculative effort from distance looped over the keeper’s head and into the goal to settle the game.
After Tuesday’s point against Sunderland RCA, the Robins went in search of a much-needed win. However, the hosts started brightly and after four minutes, Ollie Hotchkiss delivered a dangerous ball into the box, forcing the Robins defence to clear to safety.
In the tenth minute, Ryhope went close to opening the scoring when Christopher Wallace forced Shields keeper Michael Robinson into his first save of the game.
However, with the game entering the 16th minute, the visitors broke the deadlock when Robinson’s cross into the box took a deflection, giving Carr the chance to nod the ball past Joe Atkinson and into the goal.
This goal seemed to breath life into the Robins as four minutes later, after breaking away towards the Ryhope penalty area, Carr’s powerful shot stung the palms of Atkinson.
It was backs to the wall for the hosts and the Robins weren’t in the mood to relieve the pressure. In the 23rd minute, a fantastic ball from Sean McRoberts released Carr down the flank, with the striker delivering the ball to Gary Day before the target man fired just over.
Three minutes after that and the Robins managed to double their lead through Robinson after the midfielder fired an unstoppable effort from outside the penalty area straight into the top corner.
Not wanting to let the score get away from them, Ryhope kept pressing forwards and in the 34th minute, Jack Devlin’s close-range effort was driven into the side netting.
Just before the half time break, the Robins had one final chance to add a third when a chipped effort from close range almost caught the Ryhope keeper napping.
Confidence was really flowing amongst the visitors as the second half begun and after only eight minutes, Day thought he had added a third when he converted from close range. However, the linesman judged the striker to have gone too early and raised his flag.
The hosts were still trying to find their footing in the game and in the 61st minute, the ball was bobbling dangerously around the Robins penalty area, only for no home player to be able to get a foot behind it.
As the rain began to pour, both teams struggled to maintain the intensity. However, in the 72nd minute, Day once again was at the heart of an attacking move, however, his powerful effort took a deflection, giving the keeper a comfortable save to make.
The Robins were finally able to put the game to bed two minutes later when Robinson collected the ball half way out before spotting the Ryhope keeper off his line. The experienced defender sent a delightful lob over Atkinson’s head and into the back of the net for the Robins third of the day.
This goal took the steam out of the hosts, with the Robins comfortably holding on to collect all three points and a clean sheet to boot.
Final Score: Ryhope CW 0 North Shields 3
Referee: Christopher Ellis
Attendance: 110
Ryhope Colliery Welfare Starting Eleven: Joe Atkinson, Corey Nicholson, Jack Walker, Ben Riding ©, Josh Rogers (Christopher Trewick 65), Christopher Wallace, Jon Weirs, Ollie Hotchkiss, Jack Devlin (James Ellis 65), Matthew Weirs, Robbie Bird
Yellow Cards: N/A
Unused Substitutes: Adam Cocks, Joseph Melvin
North Shields Starting Eleven: Michael Robinson, Jack Donnison, Chris McDonald, Gary Ormston © (Craig Spooner 84), Josh Nearney, Mark McManus, Sean McRoberts (Cam Cunningham 84), Adam Forster, Gary Day (Callum Johnston 84), Ryan Carr, Paul Robinson
Yellow Cards: N/A
Unused Substitutes: David Hall, Kevin Hughes
