Match Report: South Shields 2-1 Peterborough Sports

South Shields battled their way to a 2-1 win at home against a brave Peterborough Sports outfit on Tuesday night.

A riveting opening 10 minutes saw Paul Blackett net for the Mariners, before Luca Miller equalised soon after, but the game was ultimately settled by Oli Bainbridge on the stroke of half-time.

It means that Ian Watson’s team sit just one point behind Enterprise National League North leaders, AFC Fylde, in second place ahead of the side’s final test before Christmas.

Shields couldn’t have asked for a better start - they got the opener in the fifth minute after Dan Dodds delivered a pinpoint cross on the face of goal for Blackett to poke it past Peter Crook.

Only four minutes later, the game would be tied through an effortless finish by Miller, who managed to cut inside and slam a right-footed shot into the far corner.

Dodds capitalised on a misplaced Crook pass soon after, but he couldn’t get his attempt on target as his shot sailed past the post.

Watson was forced into making a good stop to deny Kaine Felix, who went through one-on-one in the 19th minute.

Six minutes later, Dodds launched a looping ball towards goal which went narrowly wide.

The visitors came close from a Miller free-kick in the 30th minute, but Watson managed to catch it.

It would be Bainbridge who would get the third, and final goal, of the evening in the 45th minute - just 90 seconds before the interval.

Cedwyn Scott - the Player of the Match - laid it off to Cain Sykes who passed to Luke Woolston on the edge of the box.

While his shot was intercepted, the ball bounced around and found Bainbridge waiting at the back post, who managed to guide his header into the net.

Peterborough Sports gained control of the match as the second-half developed, with them making a more concerted effort to level the game in the the final minutes.

Sam Straughan-Brown came close with seven minutes to spare; his shot was just inches away from hitting the back of the net.

It would, however, not happen for the Turbines as Shields picked up a valuable three points.

Shields visit Chester FC in their next league game on Saturday, December 20th (3pm kick-off).

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, Bainbridge (Ward 46’), Sykes (Gordon 55’), Blackett (Wheeldon 73’), Jenkins, Mann, Scott, Alcock, Woolston (Sloan 85’), Dodds.

Unused substitutes: McGurk, Savage.

Goals: Blackett (5’), Bainbridge (45’).

Peterborough Sports: Crook, Powell, Felix (Booth 77’), Whitehouse (Davies 56’), McLintock, Straughan-Brown (Cadogan 84’), Miller, Oakley, Wood, Beresford (Coulthirst 55’), Stewart.

Unused substitutes: Edwards, Joshua, Faakye.

Goals: Miller (9’).

Attendance: 1,445.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19).