Patton powers Robins to Senior Cup Semi-Final

A Kyle Patton double helped North Shields to a place in the Techflow NFA Senior Cup Semi-Final; beating Division Two West Allotment 2-1.

After an even first half, Patton put Shields ahead four minutes after the restart with a left-foot volley.

However, West Allotment were level moments later through Matthew Hayton’s well-taken shot.

Patton’s second goal of the day with 12 minutes to go put the Robins within touching distance of the next round.

And despite missing a last-minute penalty, Shields were able to secure a hard-fought win on a still night at the Daren Persson Stadium.

West Allotment came out of the gate firing and after only one minute, Shane Donaghy’s long-range shot was comfortably saved by Greg Purvis.

Four minutes into the game, Ryan Carr could only head over the visiting goal from close range, after a pin-point Paul Robinson cross.

With three of the top four goalscorers in Division Two this season, it was no surprise to see West Allotment pressing forward early on.

And in the sixth minute, Abubaker Salim tricked his way past Paul New on the touchline before sending in a low cross, missing an open Bruno Mendes-Correia.

The 27th minute saw another chance on goal for Allotment, with Shane Jones’ weak effort failing to trouble the Shields shot-stopper.

But Shields were still well in this game as three minutes later, Robinson’s effort from the edge of the area was smothered at his near post by Hodgson.

In the 36th minute, after collecting the ball, McCarthy smartly turned a visiting defender just outside the area before curling the ball inches wide.

Only four minutes into the second period, an excellent cross from Nick Cassidy picked out the run of Patton, whose left-foot volley beat Hodgson from close range to give Shields the lead.

However, West Allotment weren’t behind for long when the vision of Donaghy picked out Hayton bursting into the Robins box. With his first touch, the attacker’s shot beat Purvis at his far post to draw the visitors level.

Straight from the kickoff, Allotment could have found themselves in front, when the hosts turned the ball over cheaply. Luckily for the hosts, Purvis was alert in the home goal to deny Jones’ strike.

The 67th minute saw the best chance of the second half for Shields to regain the lead, only for Patton to shoot straight at the keeper when in acres of space.

Seconds later, the hosts thought they should have been awarded a penalty when McDonald was brought down by Hodgson, only for the referee to waive the claims away.

But the pressure finally paid off for Shields as they finally cracked the Allotment defence in the 78th minute.

Collecting a through ball from Forster, McDonald whipped a beautiful cross to the far post, with Carr’s diving header being blocked on the line by a defender.

Luckily, the ball fell to Patton who, after navigating a sea of green & white legs, thumped the ball into the back of the net; handing Shields the advantage.

They should have been out of sight with seconds remaining when substitute Connor Campbell was felled in the area.

Stepping up to take the penalty, Patton skied his spot kick well over the crossbar; costing the attacker his hat-trick.

This result sees North Shields qualify for the Semi-Finals, alongside Morpeth Town, Blyth Spartans and Newcastle United U23’s.