South Shields FC must 'earn the right to win' at Hednesford Town

Mike Williamson has warned South Shields FC they must ‘earn the right’ to claim a win from their tricky looking trip to National League North new boys Hednesford Town.

Saturday’s hosts came out second best to Hebburn Town in last season’s Northern Premier League Premier Division title race - but still secured a return to step two for the first time in a decade with a play-off final win against Warrington Rylands.

Managed by one-time Sunderland and Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, the Pitmen are fiercely ambitious and have a number of eye-catching names in their ranks including former Mariners forward Dylan Mottley-Henry and defender Aaron Hayden, who played a part in Wrexham’s historic rise up the football pyramid.

The Mariners will travel to Keys Park on the back of a disappointing home draw with Spalding United as a late equaliser from Abduramane Sani cancelled out Jordan Marshall’s first Mariners goal to punish Williamson’s side for a performance that failed to meet their manager’s standards.

The former Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers defender did not hide his feelings after the game as he delivered an honest assessment of the performance and result - and he insisted his side must ensure they are ‘ready for the challenge’ they will face in the Midlands this weekend.

He told The Gazette: “It’s so early in the season so we should really get a reaction in any game. Just because of the past results, it doesn’t change the need. If it does, that’s the problem because if we win a game, we can’t just think we can turn up and win a game again. It doesn’t work like that and that showed [against Spalding].

“We have no divine right to win a game, you have to earn it, so regardless of that result or performance, we need a reaction. It’s going to be tough, they’ve come into the division and they’ve got fantastic facilities and ambitions. We know just how tough it will be so we have to be ready for the challenge.”

‘He will keep improving’ - Mike Williamson on Jordan Marshall

One of the main positives of Monday’s lacklustre draw was the performance of left-back Jordan Marshall as the former TNS defender racked up his first goal for the Mariners and produced arguably his best performance of the season so far.

The defender drew praise from Williamson as the Mariners boss praised the ‘fire’ inside the left-back and he believes there is more to come from Marshall as his first season at Mariners Park continues.

He said: “He is someone who, everything I said that was critical of the performance [against Spalding], I can’t aim towards him. I can’t say he hasn’t got fire because he certainly has. I’ve screamed at him a few times for positioning but that’s nothing to do with desire, that’s just little areas where we can improve him. He put in a really good shift for us and he will keep improving.”

There will be one major boost for Williamson as captain Robbie Tinkler returns to contention after serving a one-match ban against Spalding.

Your next football read: Newcastle United favourite dealt major West Ham United blow