North Shields 5 Crook Town 2

Northern League Cup - 1st round
14th September 2010
Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields

Attendance: 124

Crook Town kick off. Again.

As if to cleanse my soul and erase the memory of Blackpool's victory at St James' Park, I made the short journey along the Tynemouth Road to take in this Northern League cup clash between North Shields and Crook Town. Visiting Ralph Gardner Park for the first time, I was optimistic. A new ground to visit, North Shields in goal scoring form and a pleasant evening weather-wise, the scene was set for an enjoyable evening.

A far cry from the relative grandeur of Appleby Park, Shields' former home, Ralph Gardner Park is a ground at the beginning of its story. Fairly typical of Northern League grounds, seating is provided along one touchline (The Beacon Centre Stand) whilst opposite are the two team dugouts. Behind the dugouts around ten Crook Town supporters begin to gather in the South Stand which provides standing accommodation only.

Crook keeper on his feet

The teams enter from the building in the corner behind the Silkey's Lane goal and from the kick off both sides work hard to create chances to score. In a frenetic first half, it's North Shields who put their stamp on the game with an effort bundled home in the 7th minute. As the Shields players reel away, the Crook keeper lays motionless for several minutes with visiting players and staff remonstrating with the officials. The sole fan behind the goal offers his point of view and is told to be quiet by the referee. "You should be embarrassed, ref - he can hardly breathe man", barks a Crook Town centre half as the referee continues to wave away the angry protests. I join the sole Shields supporter behind the goal to learn that the keeper just fell awkwardly. Crook quickly regroup and mid-way through the first half are back on terms. It isn't long however before their hosts regain their lead through an incredible effort from the halfway line. Taking advantage of the visiting keeper's injuries, the speculative, looped effort drops out of the black night sky beyond the keeper's reach and just under the bar. Cue bedlam amongst the Ultras and broad smiles on the pitch. 2-1 Shields.

As half time approaches and as most of the crowd drifts towards the café, the draw of a hot cup of Bovril to combat the cold is too much to resist. During half time a brief torrential rain shower accompanies the bracing northerly winds to create, if nothing else, a reason for grown men to tut, smile and roll their eyes at one another. I cower under the Beacon Centre Stand until the 2nd half begins which, thankfully, is when the monsoon subsides.

Crook replace their injured goalkeeper (broken rib) and Shields immediately make it 3-1. The tackles begin to fly and tempers flare, the referee has his work cut out to restore order. A Crook trainer is dismissed from the dugout as the handful of visiting fans howl their disagreement. "It's gonna get nasty, this", growls a Crook fan as he passes behind me. Later, a rash challenge on Shields' number 8 leaves him injured on the touchline and it takes a full five minutes for Shields' physio to provide treatment. Life in the Northern League can be cruel. On the pitch, Crook pull one back and for a brief moment the visitors have their tails up but it's short lived. Shields score a fourth before completing their evening's work with a sublime chip over the substitute keeper on 90 minutes.