Match Report: Curzon Ashton 1-2 South Shields

South Shields extended their unbeaten start to the Enterprise National League North season with a 2-1 away win over Curzon Ashton on Saturday.

The travelling Mariners had plenty to celebrate in the harsh North West conditions, with Blackett netting once again in the 18th minute and Caden Kelly in the 65th minute to seal the victory.

Shields were facing a Curzon Ashton side who had been unbeaten during September, so the league leaders needed to be at their best to secure yet another win.

Ian Watson’s side started well, with the first chance coming in just two minutes - Kelly found Cain Sykes in the box but his attempt couldn’t quite reach him.

An opportunity for the hosts came in the 17th minute through Adam Barton, whose half-volley was blocked by the Shields backline.

Shields’ positive beginning was rewarded one minute later when Blackett rounded the home ‘keeper, Callum Hawkins, to fire the visitors into the lead.

Cedwyn Scott almost doubled the lead in the 29th minute after he found himself on the receiving end of Kelly’s cross; an excellent stop by Hawkins to deny him.

The visitors continued to push for a second to put the game beyond doubt but countless chances came calling to no avail, made more difficult by the inclement weather out there.

After the break it was more of the same: the first significant opportunity from a Mariners' perspective came in the 58th minute, when Scott lobbed a ball from his own half to land just inches off goal - it would have been some finish had that gone in! 

Seven minutes later, Kelly scored Shields’ second of the afternoon and what a finish it was.

In the 73rd minute, the referee called for a Curzon Ashton penalty after Jasper Sheik made a late challenge near the edge of the box. 

Although the shot-stopper, who had been eyeing up yet another clean sheet, got a hand to it, Brad Holmes tucked his effort into the corner.

Both teams had big chances to change the scoreline; Ward placed a shot just wide after Will Jenkins had fed him in, while the referee called for offside just as Curzon Ashton completed a well-worked sequence in front of goal.

Shields saw out the game to claim another memorable three points.

Up next, Shields host Chorley FC in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Qualifying on Saturday, before the two teams meet again one week later in the league.

Curzon Ashton: Hawkins, Sobowale, Poscha, Amado (Rodwell-Grant 69’), Stobbs, Curran (McLean 46’), Spencer, C. Weston (Holmes 69’), Darby (T. Weston 69’), Barton, Ezennolim (Stafford 89’).

Unused substitutes: Ollerenshaw, Richards.

Goals: Holmes (74’).

South Shields: Sheik, Bainbridge, Morse (Mann 83’), Tinkler, Dodds, Sykes, Carson, Jenkins, Kelly (Ward 79’), Blackett, Scott.

Unused substitutes: Smith, Briggs, Walsh, Alcock, Savage.

Goals: Blackett (18’), Kelly (65’).

Attendance: 248.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)