South Shields' joint manager taking nothing for granted ahead of tonight's Seaham Red Star clash

David Foley picks up his South Shields Player of the Month award for November from Taylor Thompson, of club sponsor Shaun Matthias.

The Mariners have won 14 of their last 15 games in all competitions, including their last six.

However, joint manager Lee Picton is not taking tonight’s game lightly against a Seaham side which has won just two of its last 12.

He said: “There are maybe a few people out there who think that we’re just going to turn up and we’re almost entitled to win things.

“In my experience, not just in football but in life, you’re not entitled to anything.

“We’ve got to earn our success and earn the right to win games.

“We’ve got no God-given right, and that’s a really important message we’re trying to get across to the lads in every competition we play in.

“We’ve got to earn our success through hard work and sticking together.”

Michael Richardson could make his league debut for the Mariners, having scored twice in the FA Vase victory over Staveley Miners Welfare last Saturday.

However, Shields will be without Danny Carson, who left the club yesterday.

Midfielder Robert Briggs is expected to be available, despite suffering a broken hand in the win over West Allotment Celtic last Wednesday.

He played wearing a protective cast in the game against Staveley, and scored the final goal in a 3-0 victory.

Picton added: “Fair play to Robbie, because he broke his hand last Wednesday, but there was never a doubt about him wanting to play on Saturday.

“That willingness and hunger to be part of things is great for us. He more than played his part.”

On Shields’ recent form, Picton said: “The numbers speak for themselves, and we’ve got Seaham on Friday at their place.

“We’re really looking forward to the game.

“We’ve had a six-day break, so we have recharged the batteries a little bit.

“There’s a nice surface at Seaham, which I’m sure will help us to play our style of football.

“We’re really focussed on these next three league games and trying to pick up as close to maximum points as possible.”

Kick-off at Seaham Town Park – which has a post code of SR7 0HP – is at 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, with the first team not playing tomorrow, the Mariners’ reserves side are hoping for some additional support at their Wearside League game against Ashbrooke Belford House.

Kick-off at the Harton and Westoe Miners’ Welfare Ground is at 2pm.