Mike Williamson reflects on 'tough moment' after South Shields FC FA Cup win against Witton

Mike Williamson praised his South Shields FC players for bouncing back from a heavy defeat at Hereford by producing a seven-goal demolition of Witton Albion on Saturday.

The Mariners were the latest side to fall to a defeat against the current National League North leaders last weekend - and that meant an FA Cup second qualifying round against Northern Premier League West club Witton appeared to have become a banana skin for Williamson and his players.

However, any thoughts of being on the wrong end of a cup upset were blown apart within the opening 45 minutes as an early Khanya Leshabela goal and a hat-trick from Paul Blackett took the Mariners out of sight by the time the half-time whistle had been blown.

There was no let-up in the second-half as Cedwyn Scott scored twice and Adam Campbell got in on the act to ensure South Shields will take their place in Monday’s third qualifying round draw and now lie potentially just 180 minutes away from a progressing into the first round proper.

Williamson described last weekend’s hammering at the hands of Hereford as a ‘tough moment’ - and was delighted with the application his players showed to bounce back to winning ways.

He told the club website: “It was a tough moment for all of us [after Hereford]. Looking back, everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong. Let’s be honest, we didn’t deserve to win, we were way below our standards but there were a few decisions that didn’t give any help or purchase in the game. We took responsibility, the boys did work really hard this week and they deserve this feeling today.

“I thought it was a very professional, clinical performance. We started off well, we’ve had a tough week, it’s been a really good week off the back of a terrible result. The lads have nailed down, worked hard and have focused. We didn’t know what to expect too much coming into this game - but as we have said all season, it’s about us and our application and I though the lads were excellent.”

‘I was really pleased with the togetherness’

Not for the first time in his Mariners career, Blackett stole the headlines with a devastating hat-trick - but there were positive moments for a number of his team-mates as midfielder Leshabela grabbed his first goal for the club and Cedwyn Scott came off the bench to hit a brace before Campbell rounded off an excellent team display with the seventh goal of the day.

It was the performance of the team and the togetherness they showed that was the focus of Williamson’s attention as he reflected on an impressive performance from his players.

He said: “I was really pleased for Khanya. Blacky [Blackett], we’ve come to expect it from him. Ceds coming on, getting on the scoresheet. AC [Campbell], it’s fantastic sharing the goals around - but, for me, it’s more about sharing the goals around and I was really pleased with the togetherness.

The Mariners now have a free midweek to prepare for next weekend’s home game with Buxton.

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