MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 2-1 GUISELEY

Cain Sykes stoppage-time screamer rockets South Shields into the next round of FA Cup

The visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Jack Emmett. 

Eventually Shields got their equaliser in the 71st minute through Cedwyn Scott at the back post. 

The winner then came deep into stoppage-time. 

With two minutes left on the clock, Sykes rifled the ball into the net. 

The Mariners came into their FA Cup clash with Guiseley with a point to prove. 

Shields, still the league leaders of the Enterprise National League North, had to bounce back from their goalless draw away to Southport. 

The Mariners would face up against a Guiseley side who recently triumphed as 3-1 winners against Prescot Cables and were looking for an upset. 

Shields started well, having a chance to go one to the good within three minutes of the opening whistle. 

Will Jenkins whipped in a delicious-looking corner that was met by Robbie Tinkler but the defender's header just looped over the bar. 

Shields shortly after had another chance through Oliver Bainbridge. 

The defender found himself space to whip the ball in from the left side — found Jenkins whos’ acrobatic effort strayed wide.

The hosts two minutes later had the ball in the back of Guiseley’s net, however unfortunately, the offside flag was raised. 

David Carson broke the lines and found Dan Ward with a terrific through ball, who then squared it to Paul Blackett who tapped into an empty net, however in the build up Ward strayed into an offside position. 

The visitors then created their first real opportunity of the game, one that was taken by Emmett. 

Guiseley’s 25th minute corner was swung in by William Longbottom that reached Emmett who headed in the opener. 

Thirteen minutes later Shields had yet another chance to equalise. 

Ward was played this time down the left side as he and Rhys Walsh tactically switched sides. 

The winger whipped the ball in that reached the backpost where Sykes was waiting to lash the ball at goal — a great save by Joe Cracknell stopped what could have been a Shields equaliser.  

With just over a quarter of the second-half gone the Mariners found a golden chance to get their equaliser. 

Jenkins hooked a ball across the box into Blackett who headed the chance wide — the ball inches away from creeping into the net. 

Shields then in strong pursuit of this equaliser crafted yet another dangerous opportunity. 

This time, it was a long distance effort from Sykes — the defender's deflected volley forced a wonderful fingertip save from Cracknell. 

Eventually, Shields got that well deserved equaliser. 

The Mariners first goal of the game came thanks to super substitute Cedwyn Scott and his striking instincts. 

The striker lurked at the back post and tapped the ball home after Cracknell parried Blackett’s flick-on, into his path. 

The equaliser from Scott, inspired the Mariners in pursuit of getting the winning goal, as afterward they put Guiseley under serious pressure. 

Will Jenkins received the ball on the edge of the box, holds it up and Jay Buchan jumps into the tackle late, nasty foul which ended in Buchan leaving the field after been given a red card.

Soon enough, that winning goal came. 

Sykes picked up the ball, had space to shoot and released an absolute peach of a strike that drilled into the bottom left corner, sending Shields into the next round of the FA Cup. 

South Shields: Sheik, Bainbridge, Mann, Tinkler, Sykes, Alcock (Kelly 56’), Carson, Ward (Scott 56’), Walsh (McGurk 69’), Jenkins, Blackett

Guiseley: Cracknell, Brown, Ferguson, Buchan, Mbeka, Lawlor, Lufudu (Odunston 75’), Hopper (Spencer 36’), Thewlis (Bowen 68’),  Emmett (Silva 86’), Longbottom (Berchill 90’)

Goals: Emmett 25’ Scott 71’ Sykes 94’ 

Attendance: 1016

Unused substitutes: Morse, Smith, Savage, Dodds