MATCH REPORT: HARTLEPOOL 0-2 SOUTH SHIELDS

Paul Blackett hits brace as South Shields cruise to comfortable 2-0 win against Hartlepool United

Superstar striker Blackett dazzled in the Mariners penultimate pre-season friendly with Hartlepool scoring two goals inside 16 minutes.

Blackett opened the scoring in the tenth minute of the game, slotting the ball beyond Archie Mair after a terrific Dan Savage through ball.

The striker then doubled Shields lead — putting the ball into an empty net following a rebound.

South Shields came into Saturday’s fixture with Hartlepool with something to prove.

The Mariners last outing ended in a 1-1 draw against Hebburn Town, and the last match against Saturday’s opponents ended in a 5-0 defeat at the 1st Cloud Arena — Shields then, would have wanted to showcase a good performance against Hartlepool.

The Mariners started off strong, opening the scoring inside the first ten minutes of the game.

It was none other than Blackett of course, who put Shields ahead.

After some great work from Savage from the left side of the field, the midfielder slung a well-weighted pass into Blackett's path who then tucked it past Mair.

Six minutes later, Shields doubled their lead, Blackett secured himself a brace.

This time, it was Dan Ward who took the defenders out of the game with a picture-perfect ball into Blackett's stride — the striker latched on, and smashed an effort at Mair who saved the effort but fortunately for the Mariners, the ball rebounded back, leaving an open goal for Blackett — who made no mistake.

Seven minutes later, Shields looked as though they’d gotten the third of the game.

The Mariners’ Will Jenkins, stepped up for the free-kick and rifled the effort toward Mair’s top left corner, the keeper made an incredible save, stopping what was a sure Shields third goal.

Shields' next opportunity came right on the stroke of half-time as David Carson fired from the edge of the box but his effort rattled the bar.

The second-half started off with both sides sharing an equal amount of possession but no real chances at goal were created.

In the 61st minute of the game, Hartlepool looked as though they had their first chance of the second-half, as a deflected shot looped into Alex Reid's path, who had a clear sight at goal.

A vital last ditch clearance was then provided by Dan Dodds, stopping a huge Hartlepool chance that could have brought them back into the game.

The last chance of the game fell for Hartlepool with 20 left on the clock.

Matty Daley swung a deflected effort across to the back post where Louis Stephenson was waiting, fortunately for the Mariners, his headed effort was always rising and was put over the bar.

South Shields: Sheik, Dodds (Blaney 83’), Tinkler (Smith 72’), Morse Mann, Savage (Evitt 87’), Ward (Sloan 72’), Carson (McGowan 72’) Sykes (Briggs 72’), Jenkins (E.Smith 83’), Blackett (Burns 83’