Match Report - North Shields 1st XI triumph over local rivals Morpeth

North Shields Men’s 1st XI continued a solid start to the season with a convincing and entertaining 6-2 victory over local rivals Morpeth on Saturday afternoon. Shields made the perfect start to the game with forward O’Brien stealing the ball from the visitors defence, playing a neat one-two with Foster and slotting confidently past the onrushing ‘keeper in only the second minute of the game. The early goal settled any nerves and allowed Shields to dictate the first half of the game. Bertenshaw and the Bell brother’s controlled the midfield whilst Piper and Harrison were particularly effective in snaffling out any rare chances the visitors threatened to create.

Going forward, Foster and Sowter repeatedly found time and space on the wings only for the final pass to go astray. It took another twenty minutes but the second eventually came after good work by Sowter who deftly pulled the ball back for Lough to convert and continue his impressive goal-scoring start to the season. Shields thought they had made it three only minutes later but Bell’s driving run and finish was ruled out for an earlier infringement. Morpeth did rally late on in the half and Smith in the Shields goal did well to stop the efforts from a penalty corner, keeping the score at 2-0 at half time.

The second-half started much the same as the first with Shields controlling the game and Jordan Bell shortly converted one that counted to make it 3-0. Not to be outdone, Sowter got in on the act and finished a flowing move down the Shields right hand side, good work from Bell again to pick him out in a crowded circle.

The fourth goal seemed to wake the visitors and Morpeth finally showed their attacking ability to score two in quick succession. Shields will be disappointed both goals stemmed from cheap turnovers of possession deep in their own half leaving Smith helpless in goal for both efforts, the second a particularly well worked penalty corner. Morpeth pressed and sought a third goal to make the last few minutes nervy for the home crowd. A moment of madness however stemmed the flow with a Morpeth attacker seeing a green then a red card for foul and abusive language towards an umpire. The sending off took the sting out of the game and Shields were able to relax with Foster slotting home following a scramble in the Morpeth circle and O’Brien making sure of the points with his second in the last minute of the game. Impressive performances from Lough, and O’Brien but Jordan Bell deservedly took man of the match honours for a dominating performance. Shields should be pleased with the result and the performance overall but head into a crucial weekend with two away games to look forward to.