MATCH REPORT: DARLINGTON FC VS SOUTH SHIELDS 1-2

Quick-fire Lennon Wheeldon strike inspires South Shields to nervy 2-1 win

The Mariners evening started superbly when an early Wheeldon strike put Shields one goal ahead.

The second goal of the evening didn’t come until the 67th minute of the game when Paul Blackett’s deflected effort flew past Pete Jameson.

A late goal did come however for the hosts Cedric Main firing in what turned out to be only a consolation for Darlington.

Shields’ travelled to Blackwell Meadows making only one change following their previous six-goal demolition of Spennymoor Town on Saturday.

Saturday’s Hat-trick hero, Cedwyn Scott, would be rested for tonight’s game with Wheeldon stepping in hoping to aid Ian Watson’s side to another three points.

Watson’s men began emphatically with Wheeldon’s finish inside the box in the opening four minutes 

Oliver Bainbridge fizzed in the cross from the left-side into Dan Dodds who layed it into the path of Wheeldon who thrashed the ball into the net.

With just under ten minutes before the half-time whistle the hosts found their first real chance of the game. 

A misplaced pass from Todd Alcock saw Charlie Lennon fire a pass wide into Main who tried to lob Tom Watson however his effort found the top of the net. 

The Mariners came close again right on the stroke of half-time. 

A huge throw from the back by Watson fell into the path of Sean McGurk who latched on charged at goal before squaring it wide to Dodds who’s effort smashed straight at Pete Jameson.

Ten minutes played into the second-half and Shields’ had a golden opportunity to double their lead. 

Another brilliant piece of goalkeeping saw Watson hurl the ball to Blackett who held the ball up superbly before threading the ball to his right for Wheeldon who lashed a venomous strike at goal which rattled the crossbar.

Soon after, another golden opportunity came the Mariners way, thankfully for our travelling fans it was a chance dispatched promptly by Blackett.

Again Shields broke away with a fierce counter attack with Blackett leading the charge however instead of squaring the ball wide Blackett thrashed an effort from deep which deflected past Jameson and into the net.

The hosts however did get a late goal, Main bagging Darlington a consolation.

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes (Gordon 81’), McGurk (Ward 68’), Blackett (Blaney 90’), Jenkins, Mann, Wheeldon, Alcock, Dodds

Darlington FC: Jameson, Hedley, Barrow, Platt, Lees, Forbes, Main, Lennon, Howells, McGowan, McLaughlin

Unused substitutes: Scott, Wright, Sloan

Attendance: 1850 (296 away)

Goals: Wheeldon 4’ Blackett 67’