MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 2-0 Chorley Town

South Shields remain league leaders thanks to goals from Dan Ward and Paul Blackett in a comfortable 2-0 victory

The Mariners began Saturday's clash emphatically, breaking the deadlock inside 20 minutes through Dan Ward.

The goal that secured the three points for Shields didn’t come until the 85th minute, when Blackett dispatched from the penalty spot.

Ian Watson’s side came into Saturday’s clash with Chorley aiming to replicate last weekend's 4-1 triumph against the away side. 

Ward returned to Watson’s starting eleven, in place of Caden Kelly, and hoped he would aid the Mariners to victory. 

Before the first whistle of the game, Mariners fans said goodbye to a club legend. 

It was an emotional farewell for both Robert Briggs and Mariners fans. The superstar had an incredible decade-long career with Shields, making 487 appearances, scoring 92 goals, and lifting seven trophies. 

The Mariners kicked off and immediately were crafting chances, creating their first inside 15 minutes.

Blackett swept a fabulous first-time pass into Daniel Dodds, who played it back to the striker — unfortunately, Blackett’s shot strayed wide. 

A minute later, Ward had his chance to break the deadlock. 

Shields showcased intricate play once more, with Blackett and Dodds linking up before a ball was played into the box for Ward, who put it over the bar. 

In the seventeenth minute, Matthew Urwin was forced into a great save, and once more, it was a vicious attempt from Blackett. 

After neat work down the right side, Cedywn

Scott floated a ball into Blackett — unfortunately, the shot was scuffed and comfortably saved by Urwin.

Right from the opening whistle, the Mariners were relentless, creating dangerous chances, and by the 20th minute, this pursuit of the first goal came to fruition. 

Dodds found himself again with space down the right side of the field and whipped a cross into the box, where Ward was waiting —  the winger took a touch, composed himself, and struck into the roof of the net. 

At the half-hour mark, Dodds was at it again. 

The man who was having a terrific first half chipped in yet another delightful ball into Ward who forced Urwin into a wonderful finger-tip save. 

The second 45 was a half of football where both sides struggled to create chances; however, Chorley looked vulnerable on the counter. 

With less than half an hour to go, Shields were close to that crucial second goal, with Ward coming close again. 

Ward instinctively and patiently waited for the ball to come his way as the box was packed with black and white shirts. Ward received the ball; however, the winger was leaning back and his curling effort went over the bar. 

In the 76th minute, the Mariners had a slight scare. 

Jasper Sheik was forced into an unbelievable stop at full-stretch, denying Craig Hewitt from the free-kick. 

Nine minutes later, the second goal of the game was scored, and that crucial goal came Shields' way. 

A penalty was given after Blackett was pulled down inside the box — undoubtedly, Blackett thrashed the ball into the net. 

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes, Morse, Blackett, Jenkins, Ward (Kelly 75’), Scott, Dodds, Carson (Woolston 40’)

Chorley: Urwin, Henley, Ellis, Smith (Pratt 87’),  Nolan (Walker 70’), Hewitt, Calveley, Carr, Clarke (Lalkovic 80’),  Blakeman (Moore 87’), Ibbitson

Unused Substitutes: McGurk, Mann, Walsh, Savage

Goals: Ward 20’ Blackett 85’

Attendance: 1972