Anthony Robson has celebrated his 100th game for North Shields and at the same time has committed himself to Ralph Gardner Park for next season, whether or not the Robins gain entry into the Albany Northern League.

Robson, who commutes from Teesside, joined North Shields for the start of the 1998/9 season and ended being crowned player of the season when the side clinched a treble, winning the Wearside League, Sunderland Shipowners' Cup and the Northumberland Senior Benevolent Bowl.

"I started as a kid with Normanby boys before playing for Stockton West End juniors. I then had spells with Guisborough, Marske United, Hartlepool BWOB and Billingham Town before linking with North Shields three years ago," said Robson who is rated an inspirational mid-field dynamo by his manager Terry Paddison.

"It was good to get play my 100th game and I really enjoy playing for the Robins. When I first moved to North Shields quite a number of lads travelled up from Teesside but I am the only one now.

"The travelling does not trouble me and I will be more than pleased to stay next season and hopefully help North Shields establish themselves in the Albany Northern League if they are admitted," said Robson.

With last Saturday's programme all but washed out, clubs face a hectic end to the season which is pencilled in for May 26.

Both semi-finals of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup were called off and are likely to take place on April 21 when Nissan are due to host Windscale while North Shields will meet Harton and Westoe. The final is programmed for May 7.

Only one game was played at the weekend and Ferryhill Athletic were delighted at their performance in winning on their visit to Whitehaven. The result lifted them into the top half which has been manager Jimmy O'Sullivan's aim as Ferryhill taste life in the top flight for the first time.

Meanwhile, North Shields became the first side to score 100 goals in the Wearside League this season when they hit bottom-of-the-table Whitburn with a 10-1 defeat on Wednesday night.

Whitburn scored first through Gavin Burns but the Robins quickly turned their superiority into account and the goals flowed from Owen Peterson (5), David Burt (2), Neil Hartley, Nicky Evans and David Little (pen). Nissan remain four points ahead of North Shields at the top of the table after they saw off the challenge of Jarrow 4-0 with strikes by Adam Johnson (2), Ian Evans and Paul Conlon. Wolviston conceded third place when goals by Adam Taylor and Ben Walker earned New Marske a 2-0 win and Boldon CA moved into the top three for the first time this season, defeating Birtley Town 5-0. David Hopper (2), Paul Robinson, Stephen Wilkinson and Anthony Land hit the target.

After leading 2-0 through Peter Robson and Gary Cowell (pen), Ferryhill Athletic could only draw with Redcar Town who scored in the last five minutes through Richie Hooper (og) and Neil Holdsworth.