Hereford loss still fuelling South Shields FC ahead of Buxton clash - Campbell

Adam Campbell has stressed South Shields FC’s heavy defeat at the hands of National League North leaders Hereford will continue to fuel their bid for success this season.

Mike Williamson’s side produced an outstanding reaction to their 6-0 loss at Edgar Street as they plundered their way to seven goals in last weekend’s FA Cup second qualifying round win against Northern Premier League West club Witton Albion. However, Campbell has admitted the effects of being heavily beaten by the Bulls still remains prominent within the Mariners squad as they prepare to host familiar foes in the form of Buxton on Saturday afternoon.

The Mariners forward told The Gazette: “Mike pushed it after the Hereford game and said it can become a big deal or we can use it as ammunition to kick on and understand where we have gone wrong and how to rectify it. That was the message all week and three minutes in against Witton, when Khanya [Leshabela] scored, we all felt that push and we knew we were back and starting to put it right. But even then, even after that, we were still hurting. It’s not nice being beaten that badly so it’s still fresh in our heads and it’s something we are using to motivate us even more going forward and it’s something we need to use to our advantage.”

‘I don’t think it will impact on this weekend’

Monday’s FA Cup third qualifying round draw placed an intriguing angle on Saturday’s league clash as the two sides are now scheduled for a quickfire reunion at Buxton’s Silverlands Stadium just seven days later.

Campbell insisted that draw will mean little come three o’clock on Saturday afternoon as his side look to extend their unbeaten run on their home patch.

He said: “It is weird how often that happens where you play the same side in quick succession - but I don’t think it will impact on this weekend because we know how tough the game will be. They had a really good season last year and we know both this game and the cup game will be tough games - but we are looking forward to both of them and the journey to Brackley that is sandwiched in the middle of them.”

Opportunties

Former Newcastle United forward Campbell heads into the game with three goals in his last four appearances in all competitions and he revealed he was always confident he could find the form he showed working under Williamson during his time at Gateshead.

He said: “When I spoke with Mike about coming in, I knew it was a style of football I likes and that I could flourish in. It happened at Gateshead and it suits me down to the ground. There were no problems or worried about hitting the ground running and hitting the form that I want to be in. It’s nice that it’s happened sooner rather than later - but it’s not something that was in my head because of the way we play and the players that we have that can give me and others opportunities to score goals.”

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