MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 2-1 HEREFORD

Sean McGurk opens South Shields account in style, aiding the Mariners to 2-1 victory 

The Mariners began fiercely, opening the deadlock in the 23rd minute thanks to a Matt Preston own goal worked by Caden Kelly’s trickery.

The second goal came four minutes into the second half for the visitors after Michael Parker slotted in at the back-post. 

The equaliser, however, was short-lived as twelve minutes later, McGurk, on what was his first start for the Mariners, scored his first goal, regaining Shields’ lead. 

The Mariners came into Saturday’s game brimming with confidence. In midweek, full-back and striker, Cain Sykes and Paul Blackett, described the lad's confidence as “sky-high” and “the best it’s ever been” following their recent FA Cup and league success. 

A win on Saturday would give the Mariners their ninth win of the season, and with the mindset of Ian Watson’s players, it seemed likely they would grab the three points. 

Only five minutes had passed before the hosts created their first chance at goal.

After neat work, Luke Woolston found Kelly with a back-post cross — the winger headed the ball back to Blackett, whose header rose over the bar. 

Minutes later, Shields created another opportunity thanks to a well-worked corner. 

Cleverly, Cedwyn Scott dropped deep for the corner before rolling the ball to Woolston, whose effort just crept over the bar.

Soon, the pressure from the homeside paid off, as they crafted an opener thanks to some brilliance from Kelly.

Kelly beat his man down the right side of the field, took the ball to the byline, and fizzed in a cross which took a deflection off Preston and into the net. 

The second goal of the game didn’t come until four minutes into the second half when Parker was dispatched from the back-post.

The equaliser from the visitors, however, was short-lived as, twelve minutes later, the Mariners regained the lead. 

A classic counter-attack from Shields’ saw Blackett find Scott with space in the middle, who unselfishly squared the ball to McGurk, who coolly cut inside and curled the ball into the top left corner. 

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes (Morse 81’), McGurk (Ward 67’), Blackett, Jenkins (Carson 67’), Mann, Scott (Alcock 90’), Kelly Woolston

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Hudson, Mafuta, Preston, D’Ath, Campbell, Williams (Edwards 58’), Sterling-James, Parker, Howkins

Unused substitutes: Savage

Goals: Preston 23’ (OG), Parker 49’ McGurk 61

Attendance: 1835