South Shields U18’s 3-2 Hartlepool United U18’s: South Shields through to the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in their history

South Shields U18’s 3-2 Hartlepool United U18’s

FA Youth Cup Third Round

Friday 22nd November, 7pm kick off

Mariners Park

South Shields: S Hodgson 18, 32, Errington 82

Hartlepool United: Grey 31, Leonard 87

South Shields U18’s beat Hartlepool United U18’s 3-2 to qualify for the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in history. Shields U18’s go on to face Fulham away from home in the biggest match of their young careers.

Sam Hodgson scored in the 18th minute to put Shields 1-0 up.

Joe Grey put Pools level in the 31st minute.

Just one minute later Shields were back on top via Sam Hodgson’s second goal of the game as he converted a penalty.

Shields went 3-1 up on the 82nd minute thanks to a Ben Errington header.

Pools scored on the 87th minute to make it 3-2 through Jack Leonard to put the pressure on Shields going into the final minutes. Shields were able to overcome late pressure to win and earn a trip to Fulham in the third round.

The game started off with a fast tempo with the first real chance for Shields coming on the 13th minute, Will Morris shot from 20 yards out, his shot was deflected before being tipped over by Pools goalkeeper Bradley Young.

Shields were on the attack again in the 18th minute and this time were able to convert. Will Jenkins played in striker Sam Hodgson who found the corner of goal from 12 yards out to make it 1-0 to Shields.

In the 29th minute Shields came close to making it 2-0. This time Jenkins shot low, taking a deflection on the way which hit the post and out for the corner.

Pools just a minute later made it level, Joe Grey from the left of the pitch shot a screamer from distance into the top left of the goal, hitting the post on the way in, leaving Shields ‘keeper Ethan Hodgson no chance.

Shields didn’t wait around to regain the lead as Hartlepool conceded a penalty after tripping winger Joao Gomes in the box. Sam Hodgson fired the pen into the top right corner on 31 minutes for his second of the match to make it 2-1 to Shields.

The last chance of the half came Pools way, keeper Ethan Hodgson put himself under pressure as a wayward clearance fell Grey’s way, he beat the ‘keeper for pace however Ethan Hodgson was able to recover well saving Grey’s shot before the ball was put out for a corner by a Shields defender.

The second half began very much like the first with a high tempo and chances to score, on the 49th minute Ethan Hodgson tipped over the bar after a chance from Jack Leonard for Pools.

The 50th minute saw a Shields corner just headed over by left back Josh Croft.

Leonard again had a chance on goal for Pools in the 53rd minute, again Ethan Hodgson was equal to it putting it out for a corner.

The crowd saw few chances for the next 20 minutes until Shields nearly secured the game in the 72nd minute. Jenkins took a free-kick for Shields, which both centre-backs got touches on, Joe Ames first heading onto Ben Errington who then hit the crossbar.

Pools had their best chance of the second half to equalise when on the 79th minute, Ethan Hodgson made a double save to secure the ball after a goalmouth scramble, Luke Chapman headed towards goal for Pools but this was saved on the line.

On the 82nd minute Shields made it 3-1, Errington, hitting the crossbar earlier was able to convert this time, the corner came in from the left by Jenkins and Errington this time was able to loop his header over the ‘keeper and into the back of the net.

Pools didn’t give up easily though and on the 87th minute they put the pressure on as they scored their second spectacular long range effort. This time it was Leonard from the right side of the pitch, shooting right footed over the keeper to his right.

Shields were on the back foot but after four minutes of stoppage time they were able to prevail, securing a Third Round tie away to Championship side Fulham.

SOUTH SHIELDS: E Hodgson, Wade, Croft, Ames, Errington, Agnew, Morris, S Black (Dunn 62), S Hodgson, Jenkins (Taylor 87), Gomes (Ryland 81).

Subs not used: L Black, Steavens, Spraggon, Wilkinson.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Young, Wilson (Chapman 71), Thompson, Pilling (Sturdy 83), Webster, Campbell, Gibson, Willoughby, Shepherd, Leonard, Grey.

Subs not used: Lowerson, Naisbett, James.

Attendance: 445