Match Report: South Shields 2-0 Spennymoor Town

Aaron Martin and Dylan Stephenson’s second-half goals were the difference as South Shields defeated local rivals Spennymoor Town in a play-off six-pointer.

Elliott Dickman’s Shields ran out victors at the 1st Cloud Arena as Spennymoor made the short travel up the A194 to South Shields.

Aaron Martin’s ninth goal of the season gave Shields the lead in the 53rd minute then substitute Dylan Stephenson doubled the Mariners’ advantage in the 78th minute.

Despite a busy week for the Mariners that saw them play three games in six days, Shields were heavy favourites going into the derby.

Both teams were in rich form as Shields had won five games in a row whilst the Moors were ten games unbeaten.

Dickman made three changes to the midweek winners at Banbury, as Jordan Hunter replaced the injured Dillon Morse, and Jed Abbey and Aaron Martin made the start in favour of CJ Clarke and Dylan Stephenson.

Moors boss Graeme Lee kept his side unbeaten from Tuesday night’s victory over Scunthorpe, former Mariner Gary Liddle was named on the bench.

The game saw Shields midfielder Robert Briggs play his 400th game for the club over two spells, as faces of the club past and present greeted the 2017 FA Vase winner and presented him with gifts with his family in front of 3,162 supporters.

Spenny goalkeeper Brad James was quick to find out that the Shields forward line would be a handful as Paul Blackett pressured him into clearing the ball as far as Aaron Martin in the 23rd minute but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

Blackett thought he had put Shields ahead in the 41st as his flick-on hit the underside of the bar but somehow didn’t cross the line entirely.

Shields found the breakthrough in the second half as Aaron Martin’s touch was enough to poke the ball home past James in goal in the 53rd minute.

Dylan Stephenson replaced Martin in the 73rd minute and it would take the Newcastle United loanee five minutes to see his looping header beat James and double Shields’ lead.

Myles Boney was named Man of the Match for his vital saves and coming on top in his personal battle with Moors captain Glen Taylor.

The result ends Spenny’s 10-game unbeaten run and puts the Mariners sixth and level on points with Boston United.

Shields travel to eighth-placed Curzon Ashton on Easter Monday.

South Shields: Boney, Hunter (Savage 83), Adams (C), Broadbent, Abbey (Clarke 65), Smith, Briggs, Blackett, Martin (Stephenson 73), Jenkins

Unused Subs: Woods, Gomes

Goals: Martin (53), Stephenson (78)