Match Report: Leamington 0-2 South Shields

South Shields earned a 2-0 win on the road against Leamington on Saturday afternoon.

That win sent the Mariners up to fourth place in the Enterprise National League North table as they continued their perfect start to the league season.

New arrival Cedwyn Scott was first to get his name on the scoresheet in the 36th minute before Paul Blackett got involved with his opening strike of the campaign, in the 52nd minute.

Ian Watson’s side started off brightly, with the first chance falling to Blackett just five minutes into the game - captain Robbie Tinkler delivered a fantastic ball over the top of the Leamington defence but the number nine was unable to get a shot off and it went out for a corner.

Their excellent start continued when, in the eighth minute, Will Jenkins hit a thunderbolt from just outside the box: his effort only just glanced past the post.

It was heart in the mouth stuff for the hosts in the 18th minute; Rob Evans denied Scott from netting his first goal for the Mariners with a last-gasp block near the goalmouth.

Eddie Brearey claimed a stop to thwart Blackett after Jenkins fed him through on goal, with some excellent shot-stopping on show to keep the scoreline level around 10 minutes later.

Things wouldn’t remain equal for long, however, when in the 36th minute Shields bagged their opener. 

The Mariners remained patient and found the opportunity they were waiting for as David Carson launched an incisive pass through the backline to find Dan Dodds on the edge of the box.

He then took aim at goal and Scott was there to nudge it in, despite some late work from the Leamington players.

It was more of the same dominance after the break, with Shields finding their second goal of the afternoon only seven minutes into the second-half.

This time it was Blackett’s turn to introduce himself for the new season and what a thrilling counter-attack it was. 

Dodds did well to find Blackett at the back post, who made no mistake from close range.

That isn’t to say the visitors didn’t create much action - in the 63rd minute Jasper Sheik was called into action after Owen Farmer tried a volley at goal.

However the Mariners saw out a well-deserved win and they went home with the three points.

Shields are back on their travels when they face Alfreton Town on Tuesday (7:45pm kick-off). 

Leamington: Brearey, Meredith, Quaynor (Clarke 57’), Ram, Evans (Streete 80’), Pais (Shaw 65’), Walker (Lynn 80’), Farmer, Williams, Berridge (Shorrock 46’), Burton.

Unused substitutes: Watson, Chiha.

South Shields: Sheik, Dodds, Morse, Tinkler, Sykes, Carson (Briggs 70’), Ward (Kelly 62’), Jenkins, Walsh (Savage 62’), Blackett (Alcock 84’), Scott (Smith 70’).

Unused substitutes: Burns, Sloan.

Goals: Scott (36’), Blackett (52’).

Attendance: 548.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)