Saturday 18 January 2025
Isuzu FA Vase
4th Round

North Shields 2
Mason 71
Suddick 73
West Didsbury & Chorlton 1
Murray 49

Attendance: 647

West line-up:
1 Martin, 2 Kenny (16 McGlynn 77), 3 McConnell, 4 Holyoak, 5 Jones, 6 Rowney (c), 7 Banister, 8 Murray, 9 Abadaki, 10 Lazenbury, 11 Billingsley (14 Matthews 63). Not used: 12 Sutton, 15 Dass, 17 Yarwood.

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West exited the FA Vase after a suckerpunch defeat on Tyneside.

Paul Marshall made half a dozen changes to the side that started at Chadderton in the Manchester Premier Cup ten days ago.

In came Finlay Holyoak, Jack McConnell, Chris Rowney, Jack Banister, Lewis Billingsley and Victor Abadaki.

Max Sutton, Reuben Dass and Billy Matthews moved to the bench, while Connor Hughes and Andy Briggs were cup-tied and Kyle McGonigle wasn't in the matchday group.

West came out of the blocks quickly and had a good shout for a penalty turned down inside five minutes, as Jake Kenny went down under a challenge in the Robins area. 

West had endless possession and played the game almost entirely in their opponents' territory, but the North Shields goal led a charmed life and survived everything thrown at it. Jordan Lazenbury thought he'd given West the lead only to be denied by the offside flag, and moments later Robins keeper Kyle Hayes produced a superb save from point-blank range to prevent an own goal, repeating the feat to deny Chris Rowney's powerful volley.

The breakthrough finally arrived just after half-time as Tom Murray brilliantly fired into the top corner, a glorious left-footed strike lashed in from 18 yards. West's travelling fans had been in fine voice all game and the goal amplified the volume as the 5th Round came closer into view.

North Shields rolled the dice from the substitutes' bench but West remained in charge, that was until the game was flipped on its head on 70 minutes.

A Robins attack resulted in a dangerous cross from right-back Liam Marrs, perfectly meeting the head of captan Lee Mason for the equaliser.

West were rocked and had barely digested being back on level terms when North Shields scored again, their second goal a mirror image of the first. Left-back Darren Lough the provider this time, finding the head of substitute Lewis Suddick to complete the turnaround,

West went for it but could only huff and puff and there was no coming back. The Robins almost snatched a third on the break, Mason firing over after winning the ball on halfway. 

West's afternoon was compounded by Ollie Martin's late red card, for denying a goalscoring opportunity as Mason again broke on the counter, meaning Adam Jones finished the game in goal.

Thank you to the supporters who made the long journey and pushed the team all the way. Congratulations and good luck to North Shields, and thank you for your hospitality.

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We spoke to West manager Paul Marshall after the match:

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Your Burton Road Brewing Co Supporter of the Match was Jack and his Player of the Match was Tom Murray.

Today’s Burton Rd Brewing Co Supporter of the Match is Jack and he chose Tom Murray as Player of the Match.

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— West Didsbury & Chorlton (@wdcfc.bsky.social) January 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM

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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.