Magnificent South Shields hit five to cruise into League Cup semi-finals

The Mariners stormed to a 5-1 victory away to their higher-ranked opponents, with five of the club’s academy starlets in the starting line-up.

They always looked a step ahead of Workington, and goals from Lee Mason, Barrie Smith, Luke Sullivan, Graeme Armstrong and Dan Lowther secured a comfortable passage into the semi-finals.

Shields started well in Cumbria, with Armstrong denied by an impressive save early on, while Aksel Juul also went close.

A deserved breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute when Smith slipped in Mason on the inside-right of the box and he superbly fired into the roof of the net to register his first goal for the club.

With their first shot of the game, the hosts equalised midway through the first half when Tommy Whitehead broke through on the inside-right of the box and squared for Max Brown, who made no mistake from close range.

Shields stayed on top, and were given a golden opportunity to reclaim the lead 12 minutes into the second half when Armstrong was fouled in the area.

Smith took the responsibility and stroked his penalty into the bottom corner, via the post, to begin another spell of dominance from the Mariners.

Sullivan was brought on immediately after the goal as he made his first appearance for Shields since returning from a two-month loan spell at Bishop Auckland.

He could not have asked for a quicker impact as, with his first touch, he controlled a cross from the left with his chest before brilliantly dinking the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

Brown chipped over at the other end, while Workington goalkeeper Aaran Taylor made a fine stop to keep out an Armstrong header, and tipped another effort from the frontman onto the bar.

It seemed a matter of time until Shields sealed their win, and their fourth goal was registered with 13 minutes left.

A ball through the centre was ran onto by Armstrong, who slotted home to score his deserved goal.

There was still time for academy midfielder Lowther to get in on the act.

He played in Armstrong down the right and, although his effort was saved, the ball was kept alive and Lowther saw one shot blocked before rifling the rebound into the roof of the net.

It was as convincing a victory as Shields could have hoped for as they booked their place in the semi-finals.

They are back in action tomorrow when they host Prescot Cables in an important league game at Mariners Park.

Kick-off is at 3pm and admission prices – to be paid at the turnstiles – are £8 for adults, £6 for students and over-65s, and £2 for under-16s.

SOUTH SHIELDS: Woolston, Biwer, O Scott (Kavanagh 67), Shaw (c) (Morse 46), Patterson, Ross, Smith, Lowther, Armstrong, Mason (Sullivan 58), Juul. Sub not used: Guy.

Goals: Mason (16), Smith (pen 57), Sullivan (58), Armstrong (77), Lowther (80).

Attendance: 229.