Match Report: South Shields 0-1 Darlington

Ex-Mariner Cedric Main condemned South Shields to a 1-0 defeat against Darlington at 1st Cloud Arena on New Year's Day.

His 30th minute opener was the only goal scored of the afternoon and the Mariners went away empty-handed in a result which saw them fall to 12th in the Vanarama National League North table.

Shields’ first line-up of the year included a returning Dan Ward following a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury earlier in the campaign.

It was, all in all, a familiar team which should have brought some confidence heading into the game.

Of course, the weather conditions didn’t make things easy but the same could be said for both teams out there, with the wind dictating play at times with the odd shower of rain here and there.

Very early on, the visitors - backed by a fantastic away support it must be said - almost struck gold through Matty Cornish but his attempt on target didn’t land in the back of the net.

Tom Platt, who had been booked in the sixth minute for a challenge on talisman Paul Blackett, intercepted a good chance by Martin Smith, who had intended his ball to reach the clinical forward as he crept through on goal.

Robert Briggs did well to swing a ball into the box but Shields were unlucky not to have anybody at the end of it, though Dillon Morse and Blackett were close to it.

The game’s defining moment struck soon after, with former Shields man Main getting a goal for Darlington, which was enough for all three points in the end.

Shields continued to try for an equaliser but it just never came - attempts by Briggs to play in Lucas De Bolle, and Morse to find Iestyn Hughes, unfortunately proved to be unfruitful. 

Blackett did everything but score early in the second-half when he was through one-on-one with Darlington ‘keeper, Peter Jameson, who did well to prevent the league's top goalscorer from scoring yet again.

Myles Boney, too, should be credited for pulling off a handful of saves to keep the scoreline down after the break, as the visitors charged and pushed for a second.

One such example landed on the line mid-way through the second-half and it was a real heart in the mouth moment but Boney thankfully prevailed.

In the end Shields will be disappointed not to get anything out of that but Darlington put in a controlled performance to come away with maximum points, as they leapt into the play-off spots.

It is a quick turnaround for Dickman’s side, who host play-off chasing Hereford on Saturday.

South Shields: Boney, Hughes (Ward 67’), Morse, Broadbent, Shepherd, Smith (Carson 57’), Briggs, Mee (Crossley 67’), De Bolle, Allan, Blackett. 

Unused substitutes: Seymour, Taylor. 

Darlington: Jameson, Barrow, Platt (Lambert 78’), Lees, Forbes, Cornish (Salkeld 67’), Hatfield, Main, Flint, Griffiths, Kelly.

Unused substitutes: Hedley, Rivers, Al-Shabeeb. 

Goals: Main (30’). 

Attendance: 2,669.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)