MATCH REPORT: South Shields 1- Buxton FC

SOUTH SHIELDS 1-0 BUXTON FC 

Paul Blackett’s goal sends South Shields into the National League North/South play-off final after a cagey 1-0 affair secures The Mariners a trip to Wembley. 

Golden Boot winner Blackett netted the only goal of the match from the penalty spot just before the half-time whistle to send the Tyne and Wear team to the capital with a hope of promotion to the National League. 

South Shields manager Ian Watson was forced to be without one of their key men in Will Jenkins, who has contributed to 15 goals in the regular season, which ultimately meant main man Blackett had all the pressure on his shoulders to deliver. 

There wasn’t much to shout about in the opening first seven minutes until Blackett found himself in an offside position, with Buxton goalkeeper Joe Young dealing comfortably with the effort. 

Buxton saw a goal disallowed just before the half-hour mark when Connor Kirby utilised a chance to pressure Jack Roles inside the penalty area, for then the Buxton man to slot the ball home before the referee used his whistle to call an infringement due to a foul from Kirby, overruling the goal. 

On the 38th mark, The Mariners orchestrate a fantastic move from the left flank with some great football from Oliver Bainbridge and Sean McGurk, with South Shields number seven McGurk utilising a cutback, and a Buxton defender taking out the trailing leg, leaving the referee with no doubt to point to the spot. Blackett then slots away the consequential penalty, putting the Tyne and Wear team into a 1-0 lead. 

Blackett from the spot!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uqZo6vlJNe

— South Shields FC (@SouthShieldsFC) May 2, 2026

With South Shields protecting the lead and a chance at a Wembley trip, it was Buxton’s chance to go all-out attack, and it almost prevailed in the 75th minute when Max Bardell effort across goal crashed the post, coming very close to an equaliser. 

Another let-off for South Shields came in the 87th minute when The Mariners goalkeeper Todd Alcock failed to catch a cross from Buxton, and it ended up in the back of the South Shields net, but the referee did not give the goal due to a foul on the goalkeeper, with Shields surviving by the skin of their teeth.

South Shields will now play for a place in the national league against Kidderminster Harriers F.C. on May 9th at Wembley Stadium.  

FINAL BOUND!! 💪

⚓️ 1-0 🔵

📸 gbhwlmedia#SSFC #AlwaysReady pic.twitter.com/yKDCdtKJRi

— South Shields FC (@SouthShieldsFC) May 2, 2026