Match Report: South Shields 5-0 Blyth Town

South Shields soared to a 5-0 win against Blyth Town on Saturday afternoon.

Paul Blackett got Shields off to a great start when he netted in the 16th minute, before Caden Kelly followed it up in the 22nd minute.

Will Jenkins added to the goalscoring tally shortly before the break, which saw Ian Watson’s team firmly in control of the game.

The second-half proved to be another onslaught from the youthful Mariners, with Dan Savage scoring his fourth goal in four games in the 70th minute, and Ewan McGowan finding a goal of his own just four minutes later.

After the narrow defeat to Carlisle United on Tuesday night, the team would have no doubt relished the opportunity to dominate the ball a little more against the visitors, who had stepped up at short notice following Consett AFC’s prior withdrawal.

Shields started well, with chances falling to Blackett - returning arrival Dillon Morse played a role in the first one, while Martin Smith instigated the second - in the opening stages.

The prolific talisman would be the one to score first for the Mariners: Jenkins had won a free-kick, which was fainted and struck by Kelly, leaving Blackett with ample room to head it home.

Soon after, it would be Kelly who would get a goal - McGowan sprinted down the left wing and elegantly found Kelly, with an eye on goal, leaving the summer signing to finish the job.

Savage played an instrumental role throughout and he came close a handful of times, before he actually did, to score.

Credit must go out to Blyth Town’s ‘keeper, Neil De Jesus, for an outstanding display. 

His reaction work at times was second to none, which prevented Savage and, later, Blackett, from finding Shields’ third of the afternoon.

There was a little confusion in the 36th minute as to whether Blackett had scored, after rounding De Jesus and shooting into what seemed to be an empty net, but the referee judged the ball hadn’t crossed the line after some heroic last-gasp defending on Blyth Town’s part.

It didn’t matter though, given Jenkins fired a rocket into the top-left corner to make it three two minutes after.

The story of the second-half was primarily Savage’s impeccable performance, who scored once again, after working his way in the box around a number of opposition players, to fire home yet another goal.

A quick restart in the 74th minute and McGowan was sent through on goal - he managed to slot it to De Jesus’ left which confirmed the Mariners' fifth and final goal of the game.

Shields now have a few days to rest and prepare for Hebburn Town on Tuesday in what will be their first away trip of this pre-season programme.

South Shields: Sheik (Turner 64’), Blaney, Morse, Sloan, Sykes, Jenkins, M. Smith, Kelly (E. Smith 46’), Savage (Evitt 76’), Blackett, McGowan (Clarke 76’).

Unused substitutes: None.

Goals: Blackett (16’), Kelly (22’), Jenkins (38’), Savage (70’), McGowan (74’).

Blyth Town (starting XI): De Jesus (Wilson 74’), Fogarty, Richardson (Nicholson 53’), Gascoigne (Falloon 74’), Fell, Fil (Trialist 61’), McCarthy (Trialist 68’), Franklin (Lively 53’), Trialist (Johnstone 59’), Gibson, Johnson (Walker 53’).

Unused substitutes: None.

Attendance: 673.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)