It was defeat for North Shields in Shildon, as the Robins could not recover from two goals behind at the J Denham Metals Stadium.
There were three changes to the away side from our win last weekend against Redcar Town; Lewis Suddick, Ben Harmison and Adam Forster returned to the starting eleven, while James Sloan and Dean Holmes dropped to the bench.
Shields captain Adam Forster celebrated his 400th match for the Robins this afternoon, after serving over 10 years at the club; including that special afternoon at Wembley in 2015.
Euan Anderson was unavailable for today’s matchup.
Only one change from the hosts this afternoon. Thomas Price made way for Jordan Patterson. Shildon were unbeaten in six heading into todays fixture.
Story of the Match:
North Shields came out the better of the two sides, and had plenty of half chances early on.
Shields came close to the opener in the fourth minute, when an effective piece of hold up play allowed Wilson to release Suddick down the right hand side.
Shields’ number two fizzed the ball across the box, but Jordan Lashley was unable to get there to get a touch on the ball.
However, the linesman had raised their flag, and the play was called offside.
Four minutes later, Forster picked the ball up in midfield and played a brilliant through ball in behind for Wilson.
However, the number nine could not get enough on the final touch, and Shildon broke away.
Jack Blackford surged up the right wing, and the numbers were piling forward with him.
Eventually, Blackford got his shot away, and keeper Callum Elliot produced a quality save to keep the scores level.
The first yellow card of the match would be given just two minutes later, when Shildon centre back Jordan Patterson was put in the book for a late challenge on Lashley.
Shildon were growing more and more into the game, and both sides had their chances to put their team up 1-0, but some outstanding goalkeeping was keeping the scores level.
That was until the 18th minute, when Shildon’s greatest ever goal scorer did what he does best.
Billy Greulich-Smith is a name feared by the Northern League for his scoring contributions during his time with the Railwaymen, and the big number nine came up the difference once again.
An in-swinging corner from summer signing Joe Posthill was met by the big man on the penalty spot, and Greulich-Smith headed the ball past a stranded Elliot to put Shildon ahead.
However, David Pounder’s side were not finished yet, and they added a quick second three minutes later.
Shildon worked the ball well down the channels all game, but a great move down the left hand side left the visitors to deal with a rather easy cross.
But Ben Harmison fluffed his lines, leaving the ball to bounce into the path of a late-arriving Blackford, who smashed the ball on the half volley into the top left corner.
And just like that, Shields were left to chase the game.
Another scare for the Robins occurred just three minutes after that. The floodgates had opened, and Shildon were looking for their third.
Greulich-Smith was threaded through on goal for what was sure to be 3-0, but Callum Elliot managed to get a foot on the ball and deflected it out for a corner.
The Robins did offer a rebuttal to the one-two punch, and that was through a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area
Lewis Suddick was the taker, and instead of opting to go over the wall, he shot toward the far post. The dead ball was too quick for Andrew Jennison to get a good hand on, and it bounced into the bottom corner for 2-1.
It did serve it’s purpose in revitalising North Shields, and they were hunting for their equaliser.
Though not for a lack of trying, goalkeeper Jennison was seemingly unbothered for the remaining 15 minutes of the half.
North Shields’ scoring woes were ever-present once again; lacking the clinical edge to take charge of a match and reward their hard work.
Both teams came out of the half time break searching for a goal, but chances were hard to come by for both.
Stephen Turnbull sent a low free kick at Jennison in the 56th minute, but the Shildon shot-stopper held firm and saved the effort.
The Robins were pushing for their equaliser, and they nearly came close to their reward just two minutes later, when Jodan Lashley showed great skill to beat three Shildon defenders.
But, the shot was wayward, and flew over the bar for a goal kick.
It would take until the 77th minute for North Shields to get another clear chance at goal. Ben Sampson converted from a Lashley cross, but it was judged by the linesman that the right winger was offside in the build-up, and the goal was chalked off.
Shildon held firm, and the final score of 2-1 was the cherry on top for a bitter afternoon at the J Denham Metals Stadium.
