Match Report: AFC Fylde 2-4 South Shields

South Shields picked up a priceless three points in a 4-2 win away against promotion hopefuls AFC Fylde on Wednesday night.

The Mariners dug deep to turn things around in the first-half after Jonathan Ustabasi’s early strike in the fifth minute appeared to put a dampener on the Bonfire Night action.

Cedwyn Scott’s brace had flipped the game on its head before Luca Thomas netted an early equaliser just three minutes after the restart.

It would take some more fighting spirit to change the game and Oli Bainbridge, who celebrated his 21st birthday in style, got in on the action with a goal in the 58th minute.

Caden Kelly would wrap things up in the 82nd minute to send the travelling Mariners home happy.

That result leaves Shields top of the Enterprise National League North table on goal difference, but crucially with two games in hand over last night’s hosts.

The game started in frenetic fashion, with Robbie Tinkler being handed a yellow card only two minutes in for a challenge on the edge of the box; the resulting free-kick came close. 

AFC Fylde took advantage of a Shields mistake at the back - Ustabasi gave the hosts the lead shortly after.

Despite falling behind, Shields controlled the game well and crafted chances for Luke Woolston, fresh off the back of an Emirates FA Cup goal at the weekend, as well as eventual scorer. Scott.

The forward carried the ball up the field before rifling the ball into the bottom corner past Zac Jones.

Danny Ormerod, who assisted Ustabasi’s finish, was heavily involved for the Coasters during the opening spell and he was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet himself.

And just before half-time, it would be the Mariners, and Scott, who would score again.

A fantastic delivery into the box from the left found Tinkler who nodded it across to Scott who only had to prod it home.

Despite AFC Fylde finding the net shortly after the restart through Thomas, it wouldn’t take long before Shields found their third goal of the game.

Bainbridge was in the right place at the right time to capitalise on a moment of chaos in the box.

The hosts came close at times to netting yet another equaliser, with one such example resulting in them striking the post in the 73rd minute.

However, Kelly put the outcome beyond doubt with his excellent finish late on to curl it around Jones.

Shields saw out the game for a hugely valuable three points on the road - it is a quick turnaround for Ian Watson’s side, who host King’s Lynn Town at 1st Cloud Arena this Saturday (3pm kick-off). 

AFC Fylde: Jones, Mitchell, Taylor, Thomas (Jolley 80'), Wilson (Mayor 59'), Ustabasi, Healy-Byrne (Coates 70'), Brockbank, C. Whelan, T. Whelan, Ormerod (Colclough 74').

Unused substitutes: Boyes, McFayden, Meadowcroft.

Goals: Ustabasi (5’), Thomas (48’).

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes (Ward 60'), McGurk (Kelly 76'), Jenkins, Mann, Scott (Wheeldon 81'), Woolston, Dodds, Carson.

Unused substitutes: Morse, Alcock, Savage.

Goals: Scott (30’, 45’), Bainbridge (58’), Kelly (82’).

Attendance: 1,285.