South Shields 'miles off' their usual standards in Telford draw - Watson
South Shields were forced to battle for a point in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with National League North rivals AFC Telford United.
South Shields manager Ian Watson was left deeply disappointed by his players as they wasted a lead on two occasions in Saturday’s home draw with National League North rivals AFC Telford United.
On-loan Middlesbrough youngster Sonny Finch fired the Mariners in front just before half-time - but his effort was cancelled out by an equaliser from Remi Walker midway through the second-half. Substitute Paul Blackett looked to have secured a precious three points for Watson’s side when he rounded off a neat set-piece routine inside the final seven minutes of the game. However, the Mariners inability to deal with a long ball in the area cost them once again in the closing stages as Bucks substitute Adan George claimed a share of the spoils fro the visitors when he stabbed home from close range.
A visibly annoyed Watson accused his players of being ‘miles off’ their usual standards as they dropped two points and slipped to second place in the table after title rivals AFC Fylde claimed all three points against Buxton.
The Mariners boss told The Gazette: “It may feel like two points dropped because of the manner of the goals but it’s not that. We are lucky to get a point from the game, we don’t play anywhere near how we ask them to play, we don’t run hard enough, we aren’t brave enough on the ball, we aren’t brave enough defending in our box. We are sort and we are hoping someone will come in and defend the box for us or do something amazing to get us a goal. We were miles off today.”
The story of the opening half-hour proved to be credible penalty shouts on both sides that were waved away by referee Shaun Taylor despite vociferous appeals from players, coaches and supporters alike. It was Telford that were the first to rue a decision from the official as he opted against awarding a penalty for Dillon Morse’s clumsy challenge on Dylan Allan-Hedley. The Mariners defender was also at the heart of the second penalty claim of the game when he appeared to be hauled down inside the visitors area - but once again, Taylor was unmoved by the appeals on and off the pitch.
Lucky
In a half of few genuine goalscoring opportunities, it also felt as if a moment of inspiration was required to unpick two disciplined and organised defences - and that moment duly arrived in the final minute of the half. Thankfully for those of a Mariners persuasion, it came from midfielder Will Jenkins as his incisive pass released Sonny Finch in on goal and he made no mistake with a fine finish across Bucks keeper Josh Gracey and inside his far post.
The early stages of the second half were all about Telford as their raised their game and their reward came midway through the half with a neat finish from Remi Walker after the Mariners struggled to deal with a long throw into their area. Watson looked to his bench to inspire a reaction and got a reward when Blackett fired home after good work from goalscorer Finch - but there was a late blow as substitute George snatched a point for the Bucks with just three minutes left on the clock.
The point could be a key one when the title race comes to a conclusion this season - but Mariners boss Watson stressed his side were fortunate to have claimed a share of the spoils.
He said: “We talk about how robust we have to be in certain moments in the game and how we want to defend - and we don’t do that. We can be as good as we want to be on the ball and we can create but if we aren’t going to do that the scoreline is going to look how it did today and in the last game. It’s going to be high-scoring and I don’t feel we have done anywhere near enough to get a point today so we are lucky to get that.”
South Shields: Watson, Sykes (Bainbridge), Morse, McGurk (Ward), Robson (Alcock), Jenkins, Mann, Finch (Wheeldon), Scott, Dodds, Roles (Blackett) Subs: Smith
AFC Telford United: Gracey, Cranston, Piggott, Fletcher, Williams (George), Meddows, Allen-Hadley, Cawthorne, Armson (Mitchell), Solademi (Ikpakwu), Walker Subs: Pendley, Hilton, Dinanga, Lawal