'Proud' - Watson hails electric South Shields as National League North title bid boosted by Macclesfield win
South Shields moved back to the top of the National League North table with a 4-1 home win against Macclesfield.
Ian Watson could not hide his pride after South Shields moved back to the top of the National League North table after dismantling FA Cup history-makers Macclesfield at the 1st Cloud Arena.
Watson’s side made a blistering start to the contest as Sean McGurk and Paul Blackett found the net inside the opening five minutes and gave the Mariners a perfect platform to build on. However, some chaotic defending allowed the Silkmen to get back into the game just after the midway point of the first-half as captain Paul Dawson punished some indecisiveness in the backline - but the two-goal lead was restored before half-time as McGurk doubled his tally for the night after some unselfish play from Sonny Finch.
The lead was extended just after the hour-mark as Finch got in on the act by combining with Blackett before firing beyond the helpless Ravenhill and that put the seal on a a performance that received wholesome praise from the Mariners boss.
He told The Gazette: “They’re a really good side and they’re really good in big games - as they showed in their FA Cup run. They have a lot of talented players that work hard and we knew that would bring pressure and there was definitely pressure on the game because there is in every game at the moment. The boys coped with it really, really well. They played with an aggression, we attacked the game, that was what we asked the boys to do and they did that perfectly so I’m really proud of the boys for that.”
Opportunity
Whatever was said in the home dressing room ahead of kick-off clearly resonated with the Mariners players as they roared out of the blocks and grabbed the lead within the opening two minutes. Not for the first time in the evening, Finch was the tormentor-in-chief as the youngster found space on the right and his stinging cross allowed McGurk to finish at the second attempt after his initial effort had struck the post. One became two just two minutes later as Blackett beat the offside trap after being released by Will Jenkins and calmly stroked the ball beyond Silkmen keeper Rogan Ravenhill.
Visitors captain Dawson got his side back into the game when he fired home from close range just after the midway point of the first-half and that let to some uncomfortable moments for the Mariners as they reeled from giving away a soft goal. However, they recovered ahead of half-time when Finch broke in behind the Silkmen defence and unselfishly handed McGurk an opportunity to grab his second goal of the night with a cool and composed finish.
There was a lively and somewhat controversial start to the second-half as on loan Sunderland wing-back Ollie Bainbridge and Blackett both went close before the latter looked to have extended the lead - but saw his effort incorrectly ruled to have not crossed the line. However, that was temporary respite for the Silkmen as Finch added the Mariners fourth goal just before the midway point of the half after a brilliant piece of link-up play with the ever impressive Blackett.
The final 20 minutes were a lesson in game management from Watson’s side as they kept their visitors at bay and even threatened to add to their lead with Jenkins curling wide and McGurk coming within inches of securing a treble when he fizzed a shot across goal and narrowly wide of the far post. After seeing out six minutes of added-on time with relative ease, the full-time whistle brought an end to one of the most complete performances witnessed at the 1st Cloud Arena during a season that has produced a whole host of eye-catching displays.
Outstanding
The main reward comes with a move back to the top of the National League North table and the Mariners hold a narrow advantage on title rivals AFC Fylde thanks to a superior goal difference. Both sides are in home action on Saturday as Watson’s side host Bedford Town and the Coasters entertain Southport at Mill Farm on the penultimate weekend of what has been a fascinating title race that will now go down to the final day of the campaign.
However, Watson’s immediate focus is preparing his players for their seasonal finale on their home patch - and he wants the South Tyneside community to get behind his side once again as they look to take another big step towards a historic promotion.
“The supporters were amazing tonight,” explained the Mariners boss. “You could hear them throughout, the atmosphere was brilliant and we all really felt it. I must say since I’ve come to the football club, the fans have been outstanding. We spoke about it before we came here, me and Carl (Mangay, assistant manager), we were looking forward to the atmosphere because we had heard about it. Behind the goal, they are really loud, they’re vocal, they’re young, they have energy and you can hear it all around the place as well. I feel like they’ve bought into how we want the boys to play now and that’s really pleasing to hear.”
South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Bainbridge, McGurk (Scott), Blackett (Robson), Jenkins, Mann, Finch (Wheeldon), Alcock, Dodds, Roles (Morse) Subs: Sykes, Kelly, McAndrew
Macclesfield: Ravenhill, Fensome, Menayese, Dawson, Buckley-Ricketts (Gale), Duffy, Heathcote, Lacey (Pasiek), Osborne (Popoola), Kay (Chapman), Edmondson (McHugh) Subs: Matheson, Dos Santos