Thumping win gets Mariners started in FA Youth Cup

South Shields stormed to a resounding 6-0 win at Darlington as they launched their FA Youth Cup campaign in style.

Braces from Dan Savage, Matty Telfer and Sam Watts sealed the young Mariners' passage into the second qualifying round.

Shields have enjoyed some fine success in the competition over recent seasons and signalled their intent for another strong run in it at the Calvert Stadium, the home of Northallerton Town.

They dominated possession from the kick-off and after Watts, Savage and Ewan McGowan had sights of goal in the early stages, they took the lead on 20 minutes.

Watts delivered a corner onto the head of Savage, who picked out the far corner.

One quickly became two when McGowan's through ball found Watts, who wrong-footed the goalkeeper and played it to Telfer. He duly rolled into an empty net.

Watts added a third just before the half-hour after some fine work by Shields down the right, and wave after wave of attack continued as the Mariners asserted maximum control.

McGowan, Watts and Telfer combined to assist Savage for goal number four, and Shields picked up where they left off in the second half.

A series of chances came and went before Telfer added his second, punishing Darlington for failing to clear the ball after Savage had been denied by a block.

Watts became the latest Mariners player to score a brace after combining well with Telfer as he completed the scoring.

It was a hugely convincing performance from Andy Inness and Elliott Dickman's side, who now await the draw for the second qualifying round.

Image: Ian Kelsey.