Match Report: Oxford City 1-3 South Shields

South Shields continued their rampant pursuit of the Enterprise National League North title with a well-earned 3-1 win away to Oxford City on Saturday.

Dan Ward scored after just 12 seconds to fire the Mariners ahead before George Burroughs equalised just before the half-hour mark.

Cedwyn Scott then scored two after the break to make sure the three points went back up north.

Results elsewhere mean that Shields now have a nine point lead over second-placed AFC Fylde, having played two extra games, and a 10 point cushion over Merthyr Town in third with one game in hand over them.

The Mariners made an electric start - Scott’s shot almost immediately after kick-off had slammed off the post to give Ward the perfect opportunity to hit it into an empty net.

After that lightning quick opener, the game slowed down and Shields maintained control of the ball for large spells.

Oliver Bainbridge did well soon after to shoot instinctively on goal, but Oxford City ‘keeper Jonny Maxted parried his shot out for a corner.

It was Bainbridge, however, whose challenge on Burroughs resulted in the free-kick which drew the hosts level.

Josh Ashby’s delivery into the box ensued chaos and Burroughs was there to poke it past Tom Watson after 29 minutes played.

A similar free-kick five minutes later, from the other side, almost ensured Oxford City’s second goal of the afternoon, but this time the goalmouth scramble ended in a shot off the post.

Shields were denied their second goal before half-time after Ethan Mann was flagged offside.

Ian Watson’s side had to withstand a barrage of chances - most coming from set-pieces - for the hosts, with the Hoops coming close on a number of occasions during the second-half.

It took a little while to get going after the restart, but the Mariners’ efforts came to fruition with just over 20 minutes left on the clock.

A fine finish by Scott ultimately put the game out of sight, but it wasn’t to be without more drama.

Maxted pulled off an excellent stop to deny Scott, who went one-on-one with six minutes remaining

Oxford City thought they had equalised a minute later after they broke away following a Shields corner, only for the flag to be raised against Jack Bearne.

But then Scott turned around and sealed the game in the 89th minute with his low-driven shot into the far corner.

The lads have a week to rest before taking on Macclesfield FC at 1st Cloud Arena next Saturday (3pm kick-off).

South Shields: Watson, Bainbridge, Sykes (Tinkler 80’), Morse, Robson (Alcock 69’), Jenkins, Ward (Wheeldon 64’), Mann, Finch (Smith 80’), Scott (Savage 90’), Dodds.

Unused substitutes: McGurk, Sloan.

Goals: Ward (1’), Scott (68’, 89’).

Oxford City: Maxted, Ashby, Harper-Bailey, Ellis (Humphrey-Ewers 90'), McEachran (Roddy 90'), Sturridge (Parker 70’), Wiggett, Potter (McFarlane 80’), Clark (Bearne 80’), Burroughs, Humphries.

Unused substitutes: Wilson, Johnson.

Goals: Burroughs (29’).

Attendance: 729.

Image credit: Michael Allen.