MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS FC 4-0 SPALDING UNITED FC

Stunning Paul Blackett overhead kick fires South Shields into the FA Cup first round proper.

The Mariners afternoon started magnificently thanks to Blackett’s world-class acrobatics in the seventh minute of the game. 

Eight minutes later, Shields found themselves two goals to the good, thanks to Caden Kelly’s curling effort.

Soon after, Will Jenkins picked up his second assist, threading through Blackett who bagged himself a brace and the Mariners third of the afternoon with less than 20 minutes played.

Shields then continued this relentless attacking nature into the second-half as Cedywn Scott lashed home two minutes into the second-half.

The Mariners came into Saturday beaming with confidence, ready to clash with Spalding in the FA Cup 4th round qualifying. 

Shields sit top of the Enterprise National League North with 26 points from 10 games this season. 

Mariners fans hoped that on Saturday Ian Watson’s men and their fine run of form in both the league and cup, would help them progress to the first round proper of the FA Cup.

The Mariners started the tie fiercely, creating a chance in the opening two minutes. 

Cain Sykes found Scott with room to shoot outside the box but his shot was blocked and went out for the first corner of the game.

The Mariners soon after found their opener thanks to absolute magnificence from Blackett. 

Sykes floated the cross into Blackett who steadied himself before smashing the ball with the sweetest of over head kicks into the bottom right corner as the 1st Cloud Arena erupted. 

Shields' second of the game came six minutes later, thanks to magnificent midfield play from Jenkins. 

The Mariners lost the ball in the middle of the park, however Jenkins picked up the pieces and threaded the ball into Kelly in the left channel who curled the ball into the bottom right corner. 

Watson's men were on fire in the first 15 minutes and didn’t look like they were going to stop anytime soon. 

This proved to be true as just before the 20th minute-mark, Jenkins played a ball through to Blackett who finished off in fashion — the striker’s power too much for James Dadge. 

Blackett who was having an immense 45, nearly bagged himself a first-half hat-trick — Blackett 

found himself through again, but this time was denied as his powerful effort struck the legs of Dadge. 

Shields began the second-half exactly how they started the first, pressing the visitors immensely.

Thanks to this constant pressure, the Mariners soon found their fourth goal of the afternoon. 

Blackett, Goalscorer turned provider, whipped in a cross to the back post where three South Shields bodies were waiting — however the striking instincts of Scott prevailed, as he was the one to lash the ball into the roof of the net, two minutes into the second-half.

The last chance of the game fell in the dying seconds — one that could have given the Mariners their fifth of the game. 

Substitute Dan Ward charged down the right side of the field before slinging a cross into the box — the ball was missed by Scott, but Dan Savage was there to put the ball back across the box to Sean McGurk who’s strike went over and wide. 

South Shields: Sheik, Tinler, Bainbridge, Sykes, Blackett (McGurk 69’), Jenkins (Alcock 76’), Mann, Scott, Kelly (Savage 83’),  Woolston, Dodds (Ward 69’)

Spalding United: Dadge, Sembie-Ferris, Bondswell, Moore, Johnson, Bendle, Roberts, Thompson, Cybulksi, Sano-Sani, Ceesay

Unused substitutes: Morse

Goals: Blackett 7’ 19’ Kelly 15’ Scott 47’ 

Attendance: 1526