Mike Williamson pleased with South Shields FC's 'battling spirit' after Marine win

Mike Williamson hailed the battling spirit of his South Shields FC players following their 2-1 home win against National League North rivals Marine.

First-half goals from Paul Blackett and Adam Campbell put Williamson’s side in control - but they were forced to battle for their win after Marine captain Josh Wardle reduced the arrears during the early stages of the second-half. Speaking after the win, Williamson was delighted with the positive body language of his players as they preserved their unbeaten run for the season.

He told The Gazette: “The result, for me, is the most pleasing part. The boys showed that battling spirit, their ability to stick together and put bodies on the line with last-ditch defending. The wind played a part and we controlled the whole first-half - but their manager wasn’t happy and they came out with nothing to lose. Normally, I can see body language drop - but I didn’t see that from the boys and that was pleasing.”

The Mariners took their time to settle into their possession-based style of play as they were hassled and harried by their visitors - but the chances started to come as the half-hour mark arrived. With the first real opportunity came the opening goal of the game as striker Blackett headed home his second goal of the season after he met a neat cross from Sam Ashford. The goalscorer turned goal creator just minutes later as Blackett raced down the left-hand side and his cross allowed Campbell to send a deflected volley beyond visitors goalkeeper Jack McIntyre and into the back of his net.

Whatever was said in the visitors dressing room clearly made an impact as Bobby Grant’s side halved South Shields lead just three minutes after the restart with a hotly disputed goal. Marine captain Josh Wardle was in the right place and the right time to fire beyond hosts keeper Jasper Sheik from close-range - although his celebrations looked set to be brought to a premature end by an offside flag. However, referee Scott Henry correctly ruled the ball had been diverted into Wardle’s path by a home defender and allowed the goal to stand.

Opportunities

Williamson made a number of changes throughout the final half-hour with new signings Rio Clegg and Jordan Jones introduced into the action alongside midfield duo Toby Onanaye and Khanya Leshabela. The appeared to inject some much-needed energy into the South Shields side and they came close to restoring their two-goal lead when Blackett was bravely denied by visitors keeper Jack McIntyre.

The Merseyside outfit wasted several good opportunities to put Williamson’s backline under pressure in the closing stages - but a lack of quality and control on crosses into the area ensured South Shields held on to claim all three points. If there was a negative for Williamson, it came when defender Ethan Mann was forced out of the action late on - and the Mariners boss is hoping to know more about the injury over the coming days.

He said: “Fingers crossed with Ethan, he said he felt his hamstring and we will have to see how he is tomorrow.”

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