MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 6-2 DUNSTON FC

Lennon Wheeldon’s scintillating double fires South Shields to third round of FA Trophy in eight-goal thriller

The opener was an unfortunate one to take for the hosts as Daniel Wilson struck in the 19th minute dispatching from the penalty spot. 

A defiant response was showcased by the Mariners as within twelve minutes of Dunston’s opener Ian Watson’s side had equalised and then took the lead thanks to Wheeldon and Paul Blackett.

The fourth goal of the game saw Shields claim their third — Wheeldon doubling his tally in the 38th minute of the game. 

Soon after Blackett seemingly wanted to join in with Wheeldon, bagging a double himself, slotting past Daniel Lowson four minutes before half-time.

The game reached the hour-mark before it saw it’s next goal, thankfully it was the fifth for the Mariners — Will Jenkins the scorer.

Two more goals were scored before the full-time whistle blew with the visitors pulling one back through Josh Donaldson and Cedwyn Scott tucking into an empty net deep into injury time.

The Mariners came into Saturday’s fixture hoping to bounce back from their previous defeat away to Merthyr Town.

Watson’s side then were hoping that the clash against Dunston in the FA trophy would be the game that saw their winning form resurface.

Within the first two minutes Shields were causing the visitors danger with Paul Blackett threatening in behind.

Jenkins threaded a ball through for Blackett who latched on and took it around Lowson, however his cut back reached only a blue shirt and was cleared away from danger.

Although the early threat of a goal from the Mariners it was in fact the visitors who opened the deadlock thanks to Wilson who dispatched from the penalty spot in the 19th minute of the game.

As great teams do, Shields responded defiantly — David Carson picked out Wheeldon with a terrific through ball before — the man who made his full debut, slotted it through Lowson’s legs a minute before the half-hour mark. 

It was indeed a defiant response as not only did the Mariners equalise quickly, two minutes later they were ahead. 

Blackett played off the last man, found himself with time and room to tuck it past Lowson and put Shields one goal to the good. 

Soon after the second, came the third — Wheeldon claiming his brace. 

Todd Alcock fired the ball down the right side into Dan Ward who picked out Wheeldon inside the box, Wheeldon spun and then fired an effort that deflected into the net.

Then only four minutes before the half-time whistle blew, the Mariners netted once more.

Blackett picked up his second of the game after a similar ball to his first goal was threaded through to him — Blackett took the ball in his stride, and coolly passed the ball home. 

The Mariners fourth goal of the afternoon didn’t come until the hour-mark, however it was thanks to pure magic from Jenkins. 

Alcock intercepted a loose ball played out from the back by Lowson, played it to Jenkins who strode forward, shrugged off blue shirts and hammered the ball into the bottom left corner. 

Dunston however did pull one back, a consolation albeit — Donaldson picking up the scraps and finishing a one-on-one.

Shields however were not done there as right on the stroke of full-time Scott wanted to add his name to the scoresheet, rounding Lowson and passing the ball into an empty net.

South Shields: Watson, Sykes (Dodds 61’), Morse (Blaney 61’), Blackett (Scott 46’), Jenkins, Ward (McGurk 61’), Mann, Wheeldon, Alcock, Savage, Carson

Dunston: Lowson, Neary, Neary, Turnbull, Pearson, Devitt, Turner, Edwards (Baxter 78’), Wilson (Donaldson 59’), Robinson, Shaw 

South Shields Unused Substitutes: Woolston

Goals: Wilson 19’ Wheeldon 29’ 38 Blackett 31’ 41 Jenkins 60’ Donaldson 79’ Scott 90’

Attendance: 1203