MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 4-1 OXFORD CITY

Quick-fire Paul Blackett and Dillon Morse goals seal South Shields three points in comfortable 4-1 Oxford City win 

The Mariners night seemed as though it was off to a flyer when Blackett netted in the 2nd minute, however the offside flag was raised.

Eleven minutes later Oxford City were the side to open the deadlock thanks to Josh Parker’s efforts. 

Ian Watson’s side responded defiantly, scoring two goals in three minutes through Blackett and Morse — turning the game on it’s head and giving the Mariners the lead in the 36th minute.

Late in the match, the Mariners added two more to the scoreline — Cedwyn Scott and Will Jenkins striking in the 72nd and 86th minute.

The Mariners came into Tuesday night’s clash with Oxford City hoping to reclaim their winning form in the league. 

A dominant 6-2 victory in the FA Trophy on Saturday would hopefully give Watson’s side the spirit and belief to go into their midweek clash and claim the three points.

Shields’ began immensely — with fans celebrating what they thought was the opener from Blackett inside two minutes, however the linesman’s offside flag meant the tie was still goalless. 

The Mariners night started unfortunate to say the least, as not only was a goal disallowed but in the 13th minute of the game, Oxford City’s Parker netted the opener.

Six minutes later Blackett was denied a goal for the second time — this time by the woodwork. 

Dan Ward managed to squeeze a touch into the centre-forward’s path who latched on, opened his body up and struck toward goal, however the strike bounced back off the post and was cleared away from danger. 

Just before the half-hour mark Shields came close once more, with Cain Sykes fizzing the ball into the box, however Blackett was unable to get the telling touch and turn it into the net.

Soon after, the resilient Mariners equalised. 

The ball was played into a box full of green shirts by Dan Dodds, which caused Jacob Ruddy to parry away — however the ball kindly fell for Blackett who smashed the effort into the back of the net.

Soon after Morse followed suit, stabbing the ball home from the back post after a wonderful cross from Jenkins.

Late in the match, Scott added his name to the score sheet, smashing the ball home with a composed finish. 

Jenkins played the ball out wide to Morse, who swung it back into the box — Sean McGurk missed his effort but Scott was patiently waiting and fired the ball across the ground, through Roddy and into the net.

In the dying moments Jenkins capped off the scoring for Shields — the captain powerfully squeezed his way into the box and fired his effort into the net for the Mariners fourth of the night.

South Shields: Watson, Sykes, Morse, McGurk (Savage 88’), Blackett (Alcock 76’), Jenkins, Ward (Wheeldon 68’), Mann, Scott, Woolston, Dodds

Oxford City: Roddy, Ashby, Francis, Johnson, Wiggett, Treml, Parker, Scott (Maragh 76’), Potter (Westendorf 58’),  Clark, Humphrey-Ewers

Unused substitutes: Blaney

Goals: Parker 13’ Blackett 33’ Morse 36’ Scott 72’ Jenkins 87’

Attendance: 1362