Match Report: South Shields FC 2-1 Kings Lynn Town FC

South Shields earned their second consecutive win thanks to a last-gasp penalty miss by King’s Lynn Town’s Jonny Margetts that led to an eventually deserved victory on an emotional Remembrance Weekend.

A poignant and moving ceremony on the halfway line set the tone for a memorable day and after last weekend’s comprehensive 3-0 triumph over Warrington Town, King’s Lynn came to the 1st Cloud Arena and, despite two straight defeats, sat third in the table and entered the game as favourites on paper. Shields started the better of the two sides, with Lucas De Bolle excelling in a more attacking role and Mackenzie Heaney starting from where he left off last week inside ten minutes; curling in a free kick that was flicked on by Paul Blackett but saved by Dave Jones in the first chance of the encounter.

Despite a flurry of corners for the visitors, who played a direct brand of football throughout, the Mariners dictated the opening half hour, with the back three getting plenty of opportunities to drive into midfield and free up Heaney and De Bolle, who were increasingly finding space in the final third. Blackett had the chance to open the scoring when played through on goal by the impressive Will Jenkins, seeing his chipped effort sail over the bar.

However, Shields’ brilliant number nine opened the scoring just three minutes later. After good work from Bryan Taylor on the left, Lucas De Bolle’s inviting cross was expertly swept home on the volley by Blackett, leaving Jones stranded as it flew into the bottom corner from eight yards out. It might have been two before half-time when Jenkins’ cross to the back post was stabbed over by Blackett from point blank range with the goal gaping. Heaney and Blackett’s combinations, a theme of an excellent first-half, saw the latter go through for the fourth time of the half as he saw his low drive well kept out by Jones as Shields searched for an important second goal.

The second half saw little change in the pattern of play as Shields continued to dominate possession and the share of the chances as Jenkins came agonisingly close to getting a shot off after a superb interception and drive into the box. With a superb crowd of over 2600 supporting the Mariners, young wing-back pairing, Joe Richards and Bryan Taylor put in inspired displays on either flank in place of the injured October player of the month, Coleby Shepherd. Richards was urged on by the crowd as he raced towards goal with no defenders in his sight, but some timely covering and a difficult angle to get the strike away meant the Leeds United loanee failed to get a shot off as Shields looked to put the game beyond doubt.

The home side did then double their advantage when Tom Broadbent’s pass down the line was excellently won by substitute, Kyle Crossley, who was too strong for the King’s Lynn defence. He cut inside and evaded two desperate challenges before rifling the against the crossbar. It all seemed to then happen in slow motion as the ball bounced down from the bar and was adjudged to have crossed the line, sparking pandemonium on the Mariners’ bench and in the stands. Despite the strong protests from the King’s Lynn defenders, the decision stood as the home side scored the second goal their second half endeavours deserved on seventy-eight minutes.

If the fans thought it was job done, though, the harsh realities of non-league football took centre stage in one of the most thrilling finishes of the season so far. Shields failed to clear a corner three minutes from time, and after Ross Crane’s low drive was turned goalwards and in by substitute, Kian Ronan, the away side finally flexed their muscles. They came forward in waves as six minutes of additional time were signalled and just ninety seconds into the six, Robert Briggs was inexplicably penalised for a clearly fair challenge in the penalty area, with Mr Jones pointing to the spot. In normal time, a penalty seemed harsh and on replay the ball was clearly won by the Shields skipper, South Shields seemingly left rueing their missed chances.

Tom Broadbent then received his second red-card of the campaign amidst the penalty drama as his refusal to retreat from the penalty area resulted on him being shown his second yellow and leaving Shields with ten men. After a three-minute wait, Jonny Margetts placed the ball on the spot and saw his penalty fly over the crossbar, sending crowd, players and coaching staff alike into raptures, with the score somehow staying at 2-1. An agonising two minutes of defending followed before the referee finally sounded the final whistle. An excellent display and a superb victory for South Shields as they claim a big scalp in the league and rise to 14th in the table, five points outside of the play-offs with a game in hand.

It is a quick turnaround for the Mariners as they make the long trip to Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday evening as they look to climb further up the table and continue their upturn in form. As the festive period fast approaches, Shields are starting to hit form and are looking up the table rather than down.

South Shields: Boney, Richards, Taylor (Crossley, 75), Broadbent, Morse, Briggs, Mee (Bramwell, 75), Jenkins, Heaney, Blackett (Hodgson, 85) , De Bolle (Dudik, 85)

Unused Substitutes: Seymour

Goals: Blackett (30’), Crossley (78’)

King’s Lynn Town: Jones, McFadden, Taylor, Hughes (Coulson, 90+6), Margetts, McCammon, Crane, Wilson, Barnes (Forde-Brown, 79) , Crowe, Williams (Ronan, 63)

Unused Substitutes: Falcao, Boyes

Goals: Ronan (87’)

Attendance: 2622

Image credit: Kev Wilson

(@KevWilson19)