Hopes of Wembley crushed as Robins just beaten in Vase defeat
TEN-MAN North Shields saw their Wembley dreams come crashing down on the South Coast as they fell to a narrow defeat at Littlehampton Town.
The Robins were reduced to 10 men early in the second half as Anth Myers saw red for a late challenge on Tom Biggs and their hosts took advantage as a Jack Walker own goal put them into tomorrow’s semi-final draw.
After a tense and nervy opening five minutes, where both sides were guilty of several misplaced passes, it was the hosts who had the first sight of goal.
The lively Lucas Pattenden burst into the left-hand side of the Robins area but a poor touch allowed goalkeeper Olly Marshall to rush from his line and block his effort.
North Shields were shaken into life by that let-off and almost got themselves in front just moments later as a poor defensive header released Callum Smith in on goal.
With just home keeper James Binfield to beat, the forward’s shot was weak and easily collected by the Town number one.
Despite the surprisingly inconsistent standard of passing, chances continued to be created by both sides with Pattenden looping a shot over Marshall and the crossbar and Robins youngster JJ Chrisp volleying over from the edge of the area.
Slowly but surely, Marc Nash’s men found some control and enjoyed some sustained possession, albeit inside their own half and in areas that were not threatening to their hosts.
But it took a little of the sting and the threat out of a lively Marigold side and gave the Robins a foundation to build upon.
They managed to create a fine opportunity on 41 minutes when David Robinson had time and space to fire at goal from the edge of the area – his shot was true and looked destined for the bottom corner but a brave header from Jordan Clark cleared the danger.
The home skipper managed to show his prowess at the other end of the pitch on the stroke of half time as he met a looped cross and was unfortunate to see his header cleared from the goal line. That was enough to ensure the stalemate remained in place at the interval – although Nash and his Robins players knew they needed a muchimproved second-half display to keep their Wembley dreams alive.
What already looked a significant challenge grew in stature eight minutes into the second half when Myers saw red.
Hosts midfielder Biggs cut across the North Shields defender, who was late and stern in the challenge and was handed the most severe punishment by referee Jacob Miles.
Littlehampton looked to make the most of their numerical advantage – but failed to test Robins keeper Marshall as Shay Wiggans headed over from six yards and Pattenden lashed a shot off-target from a good position.
The breakthrough finally arrived inside the final 10 minutes after the hosts won a free kick on the lefthand side of the Robins area.
Pattenden curled the set piece into a crowded area and towards the far post where Jack Walker was unfortunate to divert the ball into his own net from close range.
Despite being a man down, North Shields managed to work their way into some promising positions as the clock ticked into injury time – but a series of poor crosses allowed their hosts to clear and see out time with relative ease.
The full-time whistle brought scenes of jubilation from the home faithful with smoke bombs and flares providing a colourful backdrop to a lively pitch invasion.
For North Shields, dreams of Wembley are over, and their focus will now turn towards their Northern League title bid.
LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN: Binfield, Wiggans, Jarvis, Humphreys (Herbert), Clark, Kirkwork, Pattenden, Biggs (Harris), Jenkins (Garnham), Gaskin, Capon Subs: Layton, Herbert, O’brien, Peake
NORTH SHIELDS: Marshall, Cartwright, Mcfarlane, Ormston, Myers, Walker, Robinson (Forster), Chrisp (Bexton), Wilson, Carr, Smith (Cunningham) Sub: Hird, Van Zandvliet, Turner, Purvis