Newcastle Benfield 1-1 North Shields (North Shields win 5-3 on penalties)
Newcastle Benfield were knocked out of the Northumberland Senior Cup at the quarter-final stage as North Shields won 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
After Jake Orrell’s first-half opener at Sam Smith’s Park, the Lions were dealt a cruel blow through Paul Robinson’s stoppage time equaliser.
With no winner in extra time, the game went to a penalty shoot-out, with the Robins prevailing 5-3 following five accurate spot-kicks, with Benfield’s James Martin’s unfortunately firing his 12-yard attempt over the crossbar.
North Shields began the brightest of the two sides, with Ryan Carr unleashing a curling effort towards goal, forcing Benfield goalkeeper Andrew Grainger into pushing away the speculative strike.
Benfield took their turn in attack as James Novak rose high from a Reece Noble free kick, only for his header to sail straight towards Shields goalkeeper Greg Purvis. 
After limited offensive opportunities in the opening stages, Benfield took the lead on the stroke of half-time. As Scott McCarthy’s effort inside the penalty area was parried into the path of Orrell, the attacking midfielder calmly took the ball past a group of rushing defenders before slotting the ball home from close range.
With a slender lead to their name, Benfield went in search of a second goal in the hope of extending their advantage. After Orrell was played through, the 21-year-old took the ball past a diving Purvis and despite the youngster managing to stay on his feet when clipped, his fierce effort at goal crashed off the top of the woodwork.
McCarthy took his turn to test the visiting goalkeeper, with Purvis coming off his line quickly to produce a brave save, which resulted in suffering a cut on his head, with Michael Robinson coming on in his place for the away side.
With a large chunk of added time, Shields wasted key chances in the final third but, with the clock approaching the last minutes of the game, late drama was to arrive at the bitter end.
As Paul Robinson found time and space on the edge of the penalty area, the winger’s effort sailed into the top corner to the dismay of the Benfield supporters.
In extra time, cramp began to creep in for the players of both sides, with neither goalkeeper heavily tested in the additional 30 minutes before the game was to be decided by penalties.
With the shoot-out situated at 3-2 to the visitors, Martin’s penalty ultimately decided the result of the tie, with his effort flying over the crossbar. Following four perfect penalties, Gareth Bainbridge sealed the Robins’ passage into the last four, slotting home the Robins’ fifth penalty.
Match Report/highlights
Luke Vinton
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