After a win against struggling Kendal Town pushed us up to fourth in the EBAC Northern League Division One table, North Shields now stand against a different kind of test; top-of-the-table flyers Easington Colliery.
Located in a small pit village in the heart of County Durham, Easington Colliery is a club that cherishes the mining roots of the area and they play at Welfare Park, located just off of a memorial celebrating Easington’s past glory.
Easington’s New Groove?
Last season, Easington finished midtable, after somewhat of a strong campaign.
However, they have flown out of the blocks in a very competitive league this year, and have found themselves at the top, inside the only automatic promotion place.
Easington find themselves there after beating promotion rival Bishop Auckland 2-1 in a midweek match.
Goals from Liam Adamson and Daniel Maw seales the win, and Adamson is without a doubt their danger man.
Adamson is the top scorer in the entire league, registering 15 goals in 14 matches. He must be nullified today if Shields stand a chance at beating Easington.
Resurgent Robins:
Brian Smith’s side have been on fire as of recent.
After a shaky start to the campaign, it all seems to have clicked for North Shields, and they now have six wins in a row – seven unbeaten.
The Robins have been defensively solid all season, but they seem to have now discovered some of their attacking form.
The return of key figures, such as Jordan Lashley and Reece Wanless have been contributing goals and assists, and that has been the key to the Robins’ change in fortunes.
It must be noted that although Shields have been free-scoring in recent weeks, they could have had many more if they were as clinical as the scorelines would have you believe.
If North Shields can get on the end of those fizzed low crosses, they will have rooted out their main problem in the run up to Christmas.
Who knows what kind of performances the Robins could muster up when the edge of their blade is sharpened…
Match Details:
Easington Colliery AFC vs North Shields FC
EBAC Northen League Division One
Saturday 3rd October
3:00pm Kick Off
Welfare Park, Easington Colliery, County Durham, SR8 3PL
