North Shields 1-2 Guisborough Town

Match Report

A last-gasp goal fully 11 minutes into stoppage time by Guisborough Town’s Marske United loanee Eddie Thomas earned the Priorymen a “scruffy” 2-1 win at high-flying North Shields on Saturday.

Another injury-hit patched up Guisborough sidelooked distinctly jaded from their recent FA Cup heroics, but somehow they summoned up enough willpower and determination to clinch victory at a notoriously difficult North Shields home stronghold.

After the game Guisborough Manager Steve Bell commented:  “All in all, it was a rather strange game today.  Right from the off I felt we looked a tired football team.  

“Physically, the lads have put really big shifts in over the last few weeks and with all the injuries we have picked up to key players going to North Shields – a place where we haven’t won since 2019 – was always going to be a big ask.

“So to get a tired-looking scruffy 2-1 win is a result and three important points that I will take all day long.

“That said, I told the lads after the game that I wasn’t happy with the performance today but I’ve been sick many times over the years of playing well yet still losing so I’ll take that out there today,” continued Steve.

He added:  “We have a big game now next Wednesday at home to Sunderland RCA when another win would continue to push us up the table.”

The first half of the game at North Shields was barely 15 minutes old when Guisborough’s injuries woes were compounded further when leading scorer Cole Kiernan, who had looked very sharp with some deft touches, had to come off with a recurrence of a shoulder problem.

The match ended in a 0-0 stalemate at half-time with both sides spurning good chances and Guisborough had goalkeeper Robert Dean to thank for two brilliant first half saves to keep the score level.

Guisborough’s new signing from Newton Aycliffe, Joe Smith, impressed on his debut with a fine thrust down the wing and he looked one of the more livelier Town players.

GOOD SAVE

In the second half Guisborough substitute Mikey McGee forced the North Shields into a good save in the 55th minute.

But on 63 minutes North Shields took a controversial lead from a dubiously-awarded penalty which Tom Potter stepped up and scored from.

In the 81st minute though the Priorymen were awarded a penalty after Guisborough defender James Frazer was pulled down in the penalty area.  Ty O’Neill made no mistake from the spot, confidently drilling the ball home for 1-1.

Just as it looked as if the match would end all square, Guisborough scored a dramatic 111thminute winner when skipper Callum Martin floated over an inviting free kick into the Shields penalty area and the ball was knocked down for super sub Eddie Thomas to last home the winner from close range.

Guisborough’s next match is midweek on 30 August when they host next-to-bottom side Sunderland RCA at the KGV Stadium (KO 7.45pm).

Report: Bill Perfitt
Photos: Dan Clark