MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 3-0 CURZON ASHTON

First-half goals from Sean McGurk and Paul Blackett lead South Shields to emphatic 3-0 victory

South Shields began the game brightly with McGurk’s deflected strike opening the deadlock inside three minutes. 

Thirteen minutes later the Mariners slotted in another - of course coming from hotshot Blackett, for his 22nd league goal of the season. 

The Mariners went into Saturday's game looking to take their high-flying spirits from Tuesday's win against AFC Fylde into the game.

So too, Ian Watson was hoping that his side could showcase a performance similar to the one shown against Mark Bradshaw’s men last September when his men triumphed to a 2-1 victory. 

From the off, the Mariners were in the mood to score. 

Just three minutes had passed in the clash and the hosts had fired in the opener. 

Sonny Finch strided forward down the right side before finding McGurk with a short ball to his left for the winger who cut inside and unleashed a right-footed effort that took a deflection leaving Callum Hawkins standing helplessly as the ball rippled into his net. 

Thirteen minutes later the deadly duo of Blackett and Finch were at it once more. 

Finch burst down the right side and fired the ball into Blackett’s path who flicked the ball - first time past Hawkins doubling the hosts lead. 

Watson’s side began the second-half with a more tactical approach looking to kill the game with possession, however still creating chances. 

With less than 20 minutes left on the clock, substitute Dan Ward looked as though he’d gotten his name on the scoresheet. 

Blackett marched forward and slammed a ball put wide into Ward who came back inside and fired a left-footed shot across goal that nearly caught Hawkins out, however the save was made. 

Soon after the Mariners wrapped up the game. 

Substitute Daniel Dodds graced the pitch for the last 17 minutes and within five he’d bagged the Mariners third of the afternoon - slotting in at the back-post after a beautiful cross from Oliver Bainbridge. 

South Shields: Watson, Bainbridge (Roles 90’), Sykes, Morse, McGurk (Dodds 73’), Robson (Alcock 73’), Blackett, Jenkins Mann, Finch (Ward 64’ ON — OFF at 81’ (Smith 81’), Wheeldon

Curzon Ashton: Hawkins, Stokes, Curran, Spencer, Weston, Weston, Darby, Richards, Barton, Ezennolim, Curley

Unused substitutes: NONE

Goals: McGurk 3’ Blackett 16’ Dodds 78’

Attendance: 1909