By: Flynn Croucher
A 94th-minute long-range strike handed North Shields a harsh 1-0 defeat against Crook Town AFC at the Daren Persson Stadium, leaving the Robins with no time to respond after dominating most of the second half.
Shields started brightly and almost opened the scoring after just four minutes. Jordan Lashley cut inside and curled a great effort towards the bottom left corner, but Crook keeper Oliver Basey pulled off an excellent save to tip it away. In the 15th minute, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net, but the referee quickly ruled it out for a foul on Shields keeper Callum Elliott.
Shields rode their luck at times during the first half. Crook looked dangerous on the counter and found themselves in a 2v2 situation on the half-hour mark. Connor Shields played Joe Bates through, but Elliott made another smart save. Crook missed a massive chance in the 44th minute when Connor Shields managed to round Elliott, but blazed his shot over an open goal. Shields nearly punished Crook in first-half stoppage time when Ben Harmison rose highest to meet a free kick, but his header hit the top of the net to leave it scoreless at the break.
Crook had another opportunity five minutes into the second half when Joe Bates went 1-on-1 with Elliott, but the Shields stopper made a brilliant block. Shields then dominated the rest of the half, with captain Lewis Suddick constantly overlapping down the right flank. In the 53rd minute, Suddick’s cross found Dan Wilson, who got a touch on the ball but couldn’t strike it towards goal before it was cut out. Suddick put in another great overlap in the 74th minute, and crossed the ball across the face of goal that the Crook defence managed to clear for a corner.
Shields completely dominated the attacking play and looked by far the most likely to score, but the breakthrough simply wouldn’t come. Elliott looked to have earned his side a clean sheet in the 82nd minute when Crook won a free kick on the edge of the box. Joe Bates hit a brilliant, low strike towards the bottom left corner, but Elliott got down superbly to force a save.
Five minutes of added time were signaled, and just as the game looked destined for a scoreless draw, Crook snatched the points in the 94th minute. The ball was played up to Joe Bates, who found space outside the area to drive forward and unleash a long-range effort that found the top left corner.
The dramatic defeat brings an end to the Robins’ fantastic eight-game winning streak and nine-game unbeaten run. However, Brian Smith’s side will look to bounce back quickly as focus immediately turns to the next fixture, when they welcome Blyth Town FC to the Daren Persson Stadium on Wednesday night.
Match Facts:
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division One
Venue: Daren Persson Stadium
Full Time Score: North Shields FC 0-1 AFC Crook Town
AFC Crook Town Goal: Joe Bates 90+4′
Sponsors:
Matchball Sponsor: Bertie’s Club
Matchday Sponsor: Wallsend Labour FC- LADS REUNION
