NORTH SHIELDS V SHILDON

Northern League Division 1 

It is top versus third in the Northern League at the Daren Persson Stadium in North Shields. Named for the main club sponsor, a funeral director, it is known locally with typical humour, as ‘The Morgue’. It is certainly a fortress; the programme informs readers that it is 502 days since they lost in the league at home. But they did lose here in December in the FA Vase - to Shildon.

The gap first to third may already be too big for Shildon to close, so anything but a win could be curtains for any remaining hopes of retaining their title. North Shields will be less concerned about dropping points to Shildon than opening the door for their rivals across the estuary. South Shields are 11 points behind with 3 games in hand (and two Vase semi-final legs to play over the next two weeks, plus a potential final) so a loss today would give the leaders a theoretical chance of being overhauled.

The ground is nothing like a fortress at this, my first, sight. It is basically an enclosed bit of the local park with small low level covered areas straddling the half way line on each touchline – one equipped with benches and one not – the latter resembling a couple of bus shelters. At one corner is a good sized flagged terrace of about six steps on which the noisy NE29 ‘Ultras’ base themselves. More hospitably there is a newish brick clubhouse serving cans of beer to consume at plastic tables, and a separate well-stocked refreshment cabin with hot drinks, pies and chocolate bars.

The weather is dull and grey with intermittent drizzle, but it is neither cold nor windy. The pitch is well grassed but looks slippery on top. Just right for a slide tackle, but Shildon’s Danny Parker mistimes one early on and gives away a free kick near the bye-line on the right. With players massing in the six yard box the ball is instead rolled back to Dan Wilson whose shot hits the near post and cannons along the goal line where Ryan Carr is on hand to tap in.

Shildon do not let the early blow affect them unduly and soon settle into their patient possession game. This rarely proves troublesome for the home defence which has plenty of time (and willingness) to get men in good shape behind the ball. Shildon are restricted to long range shots – Jamie Harwood puts a dipper over the bar, Lewis Wing hits one straight at the keeper then another better-looking one is deflected wide.

Since the goal North Shields’ attacks have been sparse and fruitless but on the half hour Wilson bullies his way down the goal line to have a shot deflected for a corner. From the corner a clean North Shields header requires clearing off the goal line. Normal service is resumed when Shildon’s Sam Hodgson shoots from range and this time Kyle Hayes’ intervention has to be at full stretch to tip round the post.

Half time makes no difference to the shape of the game. Shildon pass the ball about in front of a well marshalled North Shields defence until someone - usually Wing -takes a hopeful long shot.

North Shields look comfortable with their lead and look most likely to increase it from a set piece. Corner kicks present the Shildon defence with increasing difficulty; one often leads to another. Then a free kick from the left comes in high to the far post where big centre half Curtis Coppen, up for that eventuality, heads it home. There is still a quarter of the game to go but it feels significant and he wheels off towards the Ultras with shirt his off to celebrate.

Shildon manager Daniel Moore’s response is to come on as a substitute and he makes a quick impact winning a free kick about thirty yards out. Wing takes it, one of his better efforts it is on target but straight at keeper Hayes. Shildon’s next attack sees a long diagonal from the left taken by Hayes while elsewhere in the box an attacker (in no danger of getting the ball) is blatantly pushed over. The referee is not interested in Shildon’s appeals but has to respond when after clearing the ball Hayes ends up in a heap on the ground. Moore is trying to look innocent but ends up with a booking.

Tempers get a bit frayed, but amidst the tackles North Shields substitute Gareth Bainbridge has a shot on target well saved by Liversedge and at the other end Wing hits another pot shot just off target.

With five minutes left a North Shields corner from the right carries to the far post and Coppen repeats his earlier feat with a short range header into the net to put the game to bed. Shildon still press and nearly get a consolation via a dart through by Burnicle, but Hayes is aware enough to rush out and smother at his feet.

The three nil home win looks more comfortable than it was. Though Shildon had most of the play they had no penetration, due in no small part to excellent defensive organisation by North Shields. In contrast Shildon’s defence of high balls from set pieces was poor and the home team took full advantage.

It is hard to see past them for the title now.