MATCH REPORT: KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 1-0 SOUTH SHIELDS

Ian Watson’s South Shields fail to capture Enterprise National League North title on final day of league season despite valiant efforts

The Mariners began their final league fixture of the season rather well, creating two threatening opportunities through Will Jenkins and Cedwyn Scott in the opening 45, however both chances went squandered for the visitors. 

Agonisingly for travelling fans, 14 minutes into the second-half, was a moment which saw the hosts’ break the deadlock - Ryley Reynolds the one to net the opener. 

Extremely valiantly and courageously, Watson’s Mariners continued on fighting for those last 31 minutes of the game, but unfortunately Shields’ couldn’t find that goal. 

The Mariners came into the game, confident having made the trip to Aggborough off the back of a chaotic and adrenaline filled previous fixture, which saw Ethan Mann keep his side in the Enterprise National League North title race.

Watson’s side, arguably right from the opening whistle seeked the opening goal. 

Jenkins was the first of the fighting Mariners, who looked as though he’d opened the scoring. 

It was extremely clever play from the midfielder and Paul Blackett, which saw Jenkins go one-on-one with Christian Dibble, however the hosts keeper got down quick and made the save. 

Soon after, the visitors had another chance, one which saw Scott fizz a dangerous ball into the box that seemed like one of Watson’s men could have snatched a vital touch on it, however it was dealt with confidently by Kidderminster’s Emeka Obi

Agonisingly, Shields then just 18 minutes later were denied the opening goal thanks to a terrific goal-line clearance. 

Scott capitalised on Dibble’s poor clearance, before attempting to lob the Harriers keeper, however Obi was there for the hosts to clear it away.

The second-half then got underway and a minute before the hour-mark, the Harriers struck first, opening the scoring thanks to Reynolds. 

A defiant Shields’ team then rallied until the final whistle, however could not get the goal they were desperately seeking. 

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Bainbridge, McGurk (Sykes 72’), Blackett (Wheeldon 85’), Jenkins (Kelly 76’), Mann, Finch (Robson 85’), Scott (Roles 72’),  Alcock, Dodds

Kidderminster Harriers: Dibble, Devine, Obi, Donnelly, Faakye, Walker, Evans, Johnson, Davis, Reynolds, Robinson

Unused substitutes: Morse, Watson

Goals: Reynolds 59’