Intensity and intent pleases manager Ian Watson as South Shields see off Leamington

South Shields manager Ian Watson praised his players after they produced a professional performance to claim a comfortable home win against Leamington.

The Mariners were at it from the off as they got their rewards inside the opening four minutes when on-loan Sunderland wing-back Oli Bainbridge saw his cross deflected into the net. Just as they had in the first-half, Watson’s side produced a quickfire start to the second-half as Will Jenkins’ ball into the area evaded everyone and nestled inside the far post.

A third goal arrived just after the hour-mark as Paul Blackett proceeded a smart finish after he had made the most of neat approach play from Mariners debutant Sonny Finch. That rounded off yet another fine performance from the National League North leaders and left Watson to reflect of a display he believes was full of intensity and intent.

He said: “I thought the performance was really good. I thought we started the game with a lot of intensity and a lot of intent in how we wanted to attack the game and we got the goal through it. I am really pleased with the full day, I really liked how good we were with the counter press and how we gained the ball back - and I really liked how we moved the ball as well so it was a good performance. The scoreboard reflects that.”

Incredible

Watson was able to hand a debut to on-loan Middlesbrough youngster Sonny Finch as he was introduced into the action during the second half with his new side two goals to the good. The versatile forward wasted little time in making an impact as he linked up with top goalscorer Blackett to allow the striker to grab his side’s third goal of the day within three minutes of his arrival.

Watson paid tribute to Finch and revealed the Boro academy product rejected offers from a higher level to spend the remainder of the season on loan at the 1st Cloud Arena.

He said: “I think you see it, straightaway, as soon as he comes on. How quick he is, how much he wants to run in behind, he is really good in terms of when he’s one-v-one with the ball as well. He understands the game, he’s got a good IQ and he understands what we are asking from him, where we want him to deliver the ball, where we want him to be in certain moments. He’s only trained with the group once or twice so for him to come in today and have that impact from the bench is amazing. He’s an incredible footballer, he’s a really good person, we feel it’s a bit of a coup getting him because he had offers from higher up but he chose to come here because he wants to play in a system that works for him.”

The Mariners will now turn their focus towards Tuesday night’s home game with Southport as they look to claim a fifth win in their last six home league fixtures.

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