A strong squad of 16 players assembled for the trip to North Shields in a must win game for the team if they were to keep their title hopes alive. On a tricky and bobbly pitch Grey Horse started well and dictated play against a team only 2 places below them in the league. Darren Foster Mark Greenwood and Neil Wilson combined well as part of a 5 man midfield and created several openings for the lively John Myers and the streamline Ian Bainbridge. The first goal came courtesy of the wide men however as Jeff Dixon easily skipped past his man to cross where Foster was on hand to finish comfortably for a 1-0 lead. The Grey Horse seemed to sit back on this however and a defensive mix up contributed to Spring Gardens equalising just 10 minutes later. This was the wakeup call that the Grey Horse needed and good work by Russell Mercer down the left got them ahead again as he fired into a crowded area where the ball was turned into his own net by a Spring Gardens defender after good pressure from Bainbridge. Bainbridge was on hand again 5 minutes later as he controlled well and fired home to give a halftime score line of 3-1. Words of encouragement from manager Marty Joyce and assistant Dougie Grant kept the team up to their work in the 2nd half and a good finish from Foster sealed the victory with more than a bit in hand. Just 7 more league games remain and promotion looks a distinct possibility for the 3rd consecutive season. The real goal however to all involved is to push on and go for the title and with a bit of luck and hard work over the next few weeks it could yet prove to be a very productive season.
