AFC Fylde clash won't decide National League North title - South Shields striker Blackett
South Shields will face National League North title rivals AFC Fylde at the 1st Cloud Arena on Tuesday night.
South Shields striker Paul Blackett has insisted the fate of the National League North title race will not be decided in Tuesday night’s top of the table clash with current leaders AFC Fylde.
The top two in the North division of non-league’s second tier will face off at the 1st Cloud Arena and it is the visitors that hold a one-point advantage in the race for the National League after they romped to a 5-1 home win against Curzon Ashton on Saturday.
However, the Mariners kept up the pressure on the current frontrunners as Blackett made it five goals in three games with a 3-0 win at Peterborough Sports and they will now hope to complete a league double over the Coasters and take over in top spot. Many have suggested the winners of Tuesday’s game will instantly become favourites to claim the one automatic promotion spot - but Blackett has stressed it is too early to make such a big claim.
He told The Gazette: “I think people forget there is a lot of football to be played and I think there will still be 12 games left once we have played Fylde.
“That’s a lot of football and a lot will change in that time. We know it’s a massive game, I think everyone in the league will be looking at that game and waiting to see what happens because it’s the top two in the division. It’s a game where we will focus on us, we will look at what we can do to win the game because we can’t take our focus away from that.”
Responsibility
Unsurprisingly, Tuesday’s meeting will see two of the division’s top scoring sides go head-to-head in what should be an entertaining affair at the 1st Cloud Arena. In scoring a combined eight goals in their weekend fixtures, the Mariners and Fylde have accumulated 156 goals between them throughout the campaign.
Blackett continues to be at the forefront of all of South Shields attacking play and the striker has expressed his determination to continue making a positive impact as his side look to steal a march in the race for the title this season.
“We are always going to be the sort of side that creates chances because we have so many forward players and attacking players that can make a difference,” he explained.
“Even our defensive players are comfortable with the ball and can make something happen to be honest. But as a striker, and for all of our attacking players, it’s about keeping our standards high and making sure we are in the right place at the right time to get the goals that can make a difference. Every game is going to count between now and the end of the season so we have to do everything we can to make things happen. That’s our responsibility as individuals and as a team.”
Watson will be able to call upon the services of defender Robbie Tinkler once again after he made his comeback from suspension in Saturday’s win at Peterborough Sports.