Match Report: Bedford Town 1-2 South Shields

South Shields made it five wins in a row on Bank Holiday Monday with a 2-1 win against newly-promoted side Bedford Town.

The Mariners reacted well to going behind in the 10th minute - after Tyrone Marsh scored from the penalty spot - with a Cedwyn Scott tap-in just shy of the half-time whistle.

Shields started off the second-half in exuberant fashion and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Will Jenkins completed the comeback.

That result keeps the Mariners top of the Enterprise National League North table, having made a perfect start to the campaign.

Bedford capitalised on an early opportunity after Jasper Sheik brought down Ryan Blake in the box - Sheik dived the right way but couldn’t prevent the hosts from scoring.

It was the first goal Shields conceded in the league, which ended a run of four consecutive clean sheets for the young shot-stopper.

The remainder of the first-half was fairly quiet, with Shields dominating control over the game, hoping to find the right combination to unlock a goal.

The hosts thought they had warranted a second penalty, again through Marsh, but to the delight of the away support, the referee brandished a yellow card for simulation instead. 

Scott, who has now bagged three goals already for the club, was the man to make the most of it when Dan Savage launched a cross into the box to find a waiting Scott at the back post.

Savage came close just after the equaliser but Dan Wilks produced a good save at his near post.

A series of deflected corners resulted in Shields’ second of the afternoon - Savage picked up a corner at the back post, who then found Jenkins to slam it home.

Thereafter, Ian Watson’s side saw out the game terrifically as they limited Bedford to only a couple of real chances.

Sam Brown hit a corner around the hour mark which arrived to Marsh, and a follow-up cross managed to reach Blake, though Sheik dealt with that confidently. 

Blackett came close around the 85th minute, only just mistiming his strike at goal.

Nevertheless, the Mariners earned all three points and they went home very happy.

Shields are back at 1st Cloud Arena on Saturday when they host Buxton for a 3pm kick-off.

Bedford Town: Wilks, Brown, Taylor, Coyle (Jeffers 58’), Gyamfi, Marsh, Blake (Panter 72’), Kayibanda (Green 72’), Brown, Tomlinson, Dawodu (Isaacson 72’).

Unused substitutes: McDowell, Mewitt, Phillips.

Goals: Marsh (10’).

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Smith (Carson 65’), Briggs (Ward 76’), Jenkins, Mann, Walsh, Scott (Blackett 65’), Alcock (Kelly 87’), Savage, Dodds (Morse 76’).

Unused substitutes: Sykes, McGowan.

Goals: Scott (44’), Jenkins (52’).

Attendance: 970.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19).