Robins warm to task – as Seahorses flounder

THE Robins of North Shields will go bobbing into the final week before Christmas after a goal from Sean Mcroberts and a late brace from Gary Day gave them a derby win at Whitley Bay.

Former West Allotment Celtic forward Mcroberts struck early in the second half to put Marc Nash’s side in front, and substitute Day settled the game with a two goals in two minutes late on.

The early stages were dominated by the blustery conditions that were battering the home of the four-time FA Vase winners. Play was disjointed, passes went astray and frustrations rose on both sides.

The first real sight of goal fell to the hosts on 10 minutes as Andrei Ardelean came within a whisker of getting on the end of Peter Glenravenhill’s driven cross from the right-hand side.

That chance seemed to shake the Robins into life and they could have taken the lead through Ryan Carr, had Luke Taylor’s last-ditch challenge not stopped the midfielder breaking through on goal.

Whitley were thankful for Taylor’s bravery once again moments later as he blocked a Callum Johnson shot, after the former Seahorses striker had been found by a pull-back from Jack Donnison.

The Robins were getting on top and continued to monopolise the chances as the half-hour mark approached. Mcroberts forced Bay keeper Tom Flynn into a fine save as the former Blyth AFC winger saw his curling effort tipped over the bar.

And Flynn was at it again, nine minutes before half-time, when he tipped a speculative shot from