South Shields kick off their FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Witton Albion on Saturday.

Mike Williamson wants South Shields FC to use the pain caused by their ‘humiliating’ defeat at Hereford as they kickstart their FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Witton Albion on Saturday.

The Mariners will face the Northern Premier League West Division club in an FA Cup tie for the first time since 2017 when a Jamie Holmes brace helped South Shields claim a 2-0 away win in a first qualifying round tie in 2017. Saturday’s second qualifying round home tie will offer Williamson and his players a chance to move on from their first defeat of the season as they suffered a 6-0 hammering at the hands of the National League North leaders last weekend.

South Shields manager Mike Williamson (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

placeholder image — South Shields manager Mike Williamson (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

The Mariners manager revealed his players were left angry and frustrated by their performance at Edgar Street and wants that channelled into their attempts to secure a spot in Monday’s FA Cup third qualifying round draw.

Williamson said: “They are angry, frustrated, humiliated, disappointed. I think all of it really, it’s a whirlwind. So we spoke in there, it’s unacceptable at any level and we need to make sure that pain and the feeling on the pitch is utilised. I’m angry, I’m frustrated, I want to get back on the training pitch. I want to watch it and try and help the boys as best I can and make sure we focus and channel it.”

Injury latest

Jordan Marshall celebrates after scoring his first goal for South Shields in their 1-1 draw with Spalding United (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson

Williamson is not expecting centre-back Ethan Mann to be available to face Witton after he picked up a hamstring injury in the recent win against Marine.

That will mean on-loan Sheffield Wednesday youngster Joe Emery is likely to feature once again after making his debut in the defeat against Hereford - and the Mariners boss believes the Owls prospect showed the attributes his side will need to move on from a chastening afternoon.

“He felt his hamstring. I’m not sure how it’s going to be, it could be a couple of weeks. Joe came in, he’s had a tough afternoon but what I did see what fight and fire, he didn’t give up and that’s what we have got to demonstrate with quality and it’s got to come together.”

Left-back Jordan Marshall also looks set for a spell on the sidelines after he picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat at Edgar Street.

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