'Amazing' Sunderland gesture praised by National League North neighbours South Shields ahead of play-off tie
Sunderland have been supporting National League North neighbours South Shields in their preparations for a play-off semi-final home tie.
South Shields manager Ian Watson has thanked an ‘amazing’ gesture from Sunderland after the Black Cats allowed the Mariners squad to prepare for Saturday’s National League North play-off semi-final by training at the Academy of Light.
Watson’s men came out second best in a fascinating title race with AFC Fylde last weekend as they suffered 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers that ensured the Coasters were crowned as champions and secured the one and only automatic promotion spot available. However, the Mariners will get a second chance to join Fylde in the top tier of non-league as they now host Buxton at the 1st Cloud Arena on Saturday afternoon knowing a win would set up a home final with either Kidderminster or Macclesfield seven days later.
There have been strong links between Sunderland and South Shields in recent seasons with the Black Cats facing their non-league neighbours as part of a pre-season friendly double-header with Gateshead and a number of Academy of Light products have also spent time on loan with the Mariners. Reflecting on a positive week of training, Watson praised Sunderland for allowing his coaching staff to put their players through their places at the Academy of Light and he feels the gesture has put his squad in ‘a good place’ for Saturday’s game.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, he told The Echo: “It’s been really good, I think we’ve had a really good week in training. Sunderland have allowed us to use their training facilities, which I must say is amazing from them. We talk about a club that wants to help the community and really help us when we needed it, so thank you for starters to them.
“The boys are in a good place, I think we have a good balance of mature players who have been in this moment before and understand what is really needed. We are really focused on the job in hand, there has been no looking back at what could have been or what might have been. It’s just focused on a cup final on Saturday and we have to win it so I think the boys are in a really good place.”