Mike Williamson wants more from South Shields FC after impressive Gateshead win
Cedwyn Scott, Caden Kelly, Sonny Finch and Paul Blackett all scored in South Shields’ 4-1 win at National League neighbours Gateshead.
Mike Williamson believes South Shields FC must continue a ‘relentless strive for perfection’ after they produced an impressive display in their penultimate pre-season friendly at National League neighbours Gateshead on Saturday.
The Mariners made the most of a scintillating first-half performance as Cedwyn Scott, Sonny Finch and Caden Kelly put Williamson’s men into a three-goal lead by the time the half-time whistle had been blown at the International Stadium. However, the display during the opening 45 minutes was about far more than just goals as there were clear signs Williamson’s forward players were starting to click with the new National League North season now just over a week away.
There was no respite for the hosts as former Gateshead striker Paul Blackett stretched the lead to four within three minutes of the respite - although the Heed did finally get on the scoresheet on the hour-mark when New Zealand Under-20 international Luke Supyk found the net. There were further chances for both sides in the final half-an-hour - but the Mariners three-goal lead remained in tact when a very promising 90 minutes came to a close.
Williamson praised his players for producing a ‘really good team performance’ - but he warned they must not rest in their attempts to continue improving ahead of the start of the new season and beyond.
He told The Gazette: “I think there are aspects where we are ready for day one of the season - but we are never going to get there because it’s a relentless strive for perfection that we will never reach because there are always ways to improve. I think there is a good feeling around this football club at the moment, there are some very good people here, they had such a good result and performance against Newcastle and it’s difficult coming off that high.
“I just wanted us to outwork the opposition. They understand the concepts and the detail we are putting in place and they’ve applied it really well during pre-season. It has been a tricky pre-season, we have picked up a few things here and there but that’s natural course during pre-season. I thought they were outstanding tonight, it was a really good team performance.”
Competition
Mariners fans got the chance to see the latest new addition to Williamson’s squad for the first time after on-loan Stoke City winger Chinonso Chibueze was introduced into the game as a second half substitute. The youngster showed glimpses of why Williamson was so keen to secure his services and the Mariners boss has stressed he has already seen a ‘positive reaction’ from the other players battling for a place in his attack during the new season.
He said: “I am really happy with the squad and where the boys are at is good. He became available, I’ve known about him, and it was an opportunity to get it done. It’s hard in the industry because there is so much competition so it’s great to get the deal done. But what I’ve seen in training yesterday and tonight, it’s a really positive reaction to the move and they’re all channeled in to the competition.”
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