Mike Williamson praises South Shields FC for ‘finding a way to win’ in FA Trophy tie
South Shields progressed into the FA Trophy third round with a hard-earned win at Worksop Town.
Mike Williamson praised South Shields FC for ‘finding a way to win’ as they progressed in the FA Trophy with a hard-earned victory at National League North rivals Worksop Town.
The Tigers were always likely to provide a stern test for Williamson and his players - but the Mariners landed a spot in the third round draw for the second consecutive season with a last-gasp goal from former FA Trophy finalist Adam Campbell. It was the hosts that enjoyed the better of the game and produced a number of goalscoring opportunities against a Mariners backline containing the returning Dillon Morse and academy products Evan Blaney and Owen Jordan.
Despite being under heavy pressure and facing a whole host of set-pieces, the Mariners defence and the impressive Jasper Sheik held firm to give their side a solid foundation to build upon. They got their rewards in the closing stages of the game when Campbell finally broke the deadlock with just minutes to play to ensure South Shields took another step on the Road to Wembley and they will join the likes of Hartlepool United and Gateshead in Monday’s draw.
Speaking after the game, Williamson praised a number of his defensive players for a dogged and disciplined performance against a hardworking opposition and he admitted he was impressed with the mentality shown by young duo Blaney and Jordan.
He said: “It was a real gritty, wholehearted, resilient performance. We had to defend a lot today, with the likes of Dillon Morse back in, who was excellent. Joe [Emery] put a real shift in. Evan [Blaney] and Owen [Jordan], fantastic, the whole game. I thought through the good and the difficult spells, they stayed very consistent with what they tried to do and showed a good mentality, which is pleasing to see. I thought a lot players that haven’t had a lot of minutes and deserve more minutes got that opportunity. Credit to the opposition because they were aggressive, front foot and physical - and they had different pressing mechanisms that stopped up playing out. But we found a way to win and that was the most important thing.”
‘He was driving the whole team’
Williamson also reserved words of praise for the performance of goalkeeper Jasper Sheik after he produced an outstanding display to keep a clean sheet and allow his side to go on and win the game. The Mariners boss revealed the former Crawley Town stopper had suffered an eye injury early in the contest but hailed the stopper for ‘driving the whole team’ as they came through a severe test.
“Jasper was fantastic. He got a finger in the eye early on so he only had sight in one eye for most of the game but who he is and what he embodies is no weakness and he just keeps forging forward. He was driving the whole team, you could hear him.”
The Mariners will now turn their focus back towards their push for promotion into the National League as they host Harborough Town on Tuesday night.
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