Ian Watson calls for calm and focus as South Shields title hopes raised ahead of Macclesfield clash

Ian Watson has called for focus after South Shields boosted their National League North title hopes by producing a dominating display in Saturday’s win at Radcliffe.

The Mariners showed clear signs of their determination to move on from Monday’s disappointing home loss against Darlington when top goalscorer Paul Blackett scored twice in the opening six minutes to put his side firmly in control. David Ball reduced the arrears before half-time but it was a temporary moment of respite for the hosts as Watson’s men stamped their authority on the game once against after half-time.

The two-goal advantage was restored just six minutes after the restart when on-loan Sunderland defender Oli Bainbridge combined with Sean McGurk before firing home. McGurk played a big part in his side’s fourth goal of the day just before the hour-mark when his cross was deflected into the net by home defender Rick Smith.

Will Jenkins then put the seal of the win as he marked his 150th Mariners appearance by grabbing their fifth goal of the day by rounding off a neat passing move involving Bainbridge and Blackett. Jude Oyibo grabbed a consolation goal for the hosts inside the final ten minutes - but nothing could prevent Mariners boss Watson from praising his players for securing three big points at what he described as ‘a difficult place to come’.

“We were really good today,” he told The Gazette. “We started the game with a lot of purpose when we had the ball and we threatened from all areas. Our wide areas looked dangerous, Paul Blackett through the middle, we showed a lot of intent to try and find those players in the right areas.

“We got two really good goals, we could have had a couple more and then we allowed them back into the game and they don’t allow you to get on top of the game all of the time. We should have been better in those moments but we started well into the second-half and we got a very good win at a very difficult place to come.”

Excited

The Mariners now head into Tuesday night’s home game with Macclesfield knowing a two-goal win will lift them to the top of the National League North table and set up a dramatic final day trip to Kidderminster Harriers. Watson stressed his players can’t afford to get carried away by their weekend win in the North West and must solely focus on being fully prepared on their efforts to avenge two previous defeats against the Silkmen in Tuesday’s meeting at the 1st Cloud Arena.

He said: “I’ve said it a million times and I spoke to the boys today about this is where we are, this is where Fylde are, let’s just see what happens. We beat Fylde at home, we beat Curzon a few days later and everyone was getting excited. But I knew there were so many games to play so it was always about looking at what was in front of us. It’s really important to get wins and all I can analyse is how we have played and get the boys ready for Tuesday really.”

Your next football read: Hebburn Town ready for 'two cup finals' as title hopes boosted by Cleethorpes Town win