South Shields climb to summit of National League North with AFC Fylde win
South Shields climbed to the top of the National League North with a 2-1 win over title rivals AFC Fylde on Tuesday night.
Two goals in two minutes from Sean McGurk and Paul Blackett put Shields one step closer to realising their promotion aspirations, with Danny Ormerod’s 86th-minute strike not enough to spark a comeback.
The hosts looked likeliest to open the scoring in the first 15 minutes, threatening with a Paul Blackett header and an outside-the-box shot from Will Jenkins that was blocked.
The South Shields defence was called into action after 18 minutes as Lincoln McFayden darted in the box and his low cross was met by Ormerod, who was denied by a brilliant Ethan Mann block.
Tom Watson was forced into a save three minutes later as Robbie Tinkler’s scuffed clearance gave Jonathan Ustabasi a chance to unleash an effort on goal, but the Wigan loanee was equal to it.
Daniel Dodds did well to find Sean McGurk on the half-hour mark. He had time to turn and release a curling effort that was saved by Zac Jones.
Tinkler was allowed to step out of attack on the 38th minute. He played the ball to the feet of Will Jenkins, who span and delivered a dipping effort goalwards that flashed wide.
Tinkler was involved again as he delivered a pin-point ball into Jack Roles. He attempted to head back towards Blackett but it ended up running out of play.
Yet, two quick Shields goals set them their way to securing a vital three points.
First, Cain Sykes swung in a deep cross that Blackett swept past Jones to score his sixth goal in four games.
Moments later, Roles sent Sonny Finch in behind the defence and McGurk was on the end of his low cross to calmly slot home.
As Shields sat in to defend their lead, Fylde were presented with few chances. The biggest danger came after 76 minutes; Watson almost punched a corner into his own net before the ball fell to Ormerod, who skied his shot over the bar.
Ormerod, the league’s top scorer, did eventually manage to pull one back. He got on the end of a ball over the top and drove his shot into the bottom corner.
Following the game, Shields manager Ian Watson reiterated that there was plenty of football to be played. He said: “Not even close to being done yet. There’s still 12 games to go.
“I don’t think people believe us but honesty the league table at the minute is no relevance to me.”
He added: “The boys were amazing tonight, absolutely amazing. The boys love each other in there, we call it our family and we really are.
“We’re together all the time. As long as we continue to support each other and help each other, then I think it’s a special group and we’re going to hopefully create some really good moments.”
South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, Sykes, McGurk, Robson (Alcock 66’), Blackett (Morse 80’), Jenkins, Mann, Finch (Ward 77’), Dodds, Roles (Wheeldon 75’).
Unused Subs: Smith.
AFC Fylde: Jones, McFayden, Merrie, Thomas (Mitchell 62’), Mayor (Felipe 62’), Ustabasi, Healy-Bryne (Coates 89’), Lancaster, C. Whelan, T. Whelan, Ormerod.
Unused Subs: Boyes, Taylor, Wilson, McKay.
