Date: Sunday, 23 November 2025
Venue: John Spence Community High School
Competition: NFL Premier Division
Result: North Shields 3 – 1 Heaton Hawks
Hawks Scorer: Kody Green
It was a challenging afternoon for Heaton Hawks as they travelled to John Spence Community High School to face North Shields. Ultimately, a difficult opening spell proved the difference in a 3-1 defeat, though the Hawks showed commendable spirit to stabilize and fight back in the latter stages.
First Half: A Difficult Opening
The hosts came out of the blocks quickly, catching the Hawks cold in the opening exchanges. The damage was largely done in a blistering 30-minute spell where North Shields found the net three times.
The Hawks struggled to compete physically in the air during this period, conceding two headers to North Shields’ Smith, who capitalized on the space provided. The third goal was a different prospect—a really well-worked move by the opposition that carved open the defence.
However, the 30-minute mark proved to be a turning point. Having weathered the initial storm, the Hawks began to find their rhythm. Sticking to their principles of playing a passing game from the back, they started to gain a foothold in the match, showing the character and “togetherness” that defines the squad.
Second Half: The Fightback
The second half was a much more even affair. The Hawks came out with renewed purpose, competing for every ball and nullifying the threat that North Shields had posed earlier.
The improved performance was rewarded when Captain Kody Green found the back of the net. Leading by example, the skipper’s goal gave the scoreline a more respectable look and reflected the Hawks’ improved possession and intent.
Full Time Thoughts
While the 3-1 loss is disappointing, the reaction after the first 30 minutes offers plenty of positives for Coaches Mick Sharp and Rob Meldrum. The team refused to crumble after going three down, digging deep to produce a competitive performance for the final hour.
Final Score: North Shields 3 – 1 Heaton Hawks