A RECORD crowd for the season of 375 witnessed South Shields final home game of the season as they clinched promotion to the Arngrove Northern League Division One with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Sunderland RCA, writes PHIL THORNTON.
Supporters of the Mariners were finally able to celebrate the promotion the whole club had been desperate for since the disappointment of missing out last season, and there was a party atmosphere at Filtrona Park on the final whistle.
The first op
portunity of the game fell to Sunderland RCA, when giant striker Andy Jennings had a shot at goal, but Simon Parkin in the Shields goal was able to catch with ease.
RCA again came close on 12 minutes when Lee Owens curled a 30-yard shot just wide of the Shields goal.
Shields' best chance came on the stroke of half time, when a floated cross fell to Mark Johnson, who was unable to connect and the ball went out for a goal kick.
The second half began with Johnson going close on four minutes, but his attempt was tipped round the post for a corner. The resulting corner fell to Simon Fitzpatrick, who struck a low 30-yard drive that was well held by Minniss in the Sunderland goal.
Sunderland RCA began to put some pressure on the Shields goal, with Andy Jennings looking a constant threat in the air to the Shields defence.
Congratulations South Shields FC
Send your congratulations to the Mariners by leaving a message in the comment box at the bottom this storyBut on 75 minutes Shields got the goal they had been desperate for when top scorer Johnson was through on goal and fired the ball past Minniss, to lift the roof from the Mariners Stand at Filtrona Park.
Shields kept up the pressure for the final 15 minutes as they looked to extend the lead and put the game beyond any doubt.
Chris Feasey had the chance to seal the win, but fired over, while substitute David Graham wasn't far away with a dipping volley.
More South Shields FC promotion news...Jubilant boss hails promotion players - slideshowRoofing tribute to ShieldsBut the score remained 1-0 as Shields defended well, with Parkin having little to do late on, and the final whsitle was met with huge celebrations from players and fans alike.
Shields travel to Darlington RA on Friday night as they look to move up to the Division One as champions of the Arngrove Northern League Division Two.
SHIELDS: Parkin, Irving, Russell, Oates, O'Brien, Fitzpatrick (Brocklehurst 76), O'Donovan,Scroggins, Johnson (Graham 76), Wightman (Crew 70), Feasey.> > Take part in our web vote and tell us who will win the Tyne-Wear derby.The full article contains 460 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
