Match Report: Alfreton Town 0-2 South Shields

South Shields soared to the top of the Enterprise National League North table with two stoppage-time goals in a 2-0 win against Alfreton Town on Tuesday night.

Although the Mariners had dominated for the most part during the 90 minutes, it seemed as though the game would be heading to a scoreless draw.

However, new signing Cedwyn Scott bagged his second goal in claret and blue in the 92nd minute, before Paul Blackett inflicted further damage on the Reds in the 95th minute.

That result continued Shields’ perfect start to the season and it no doubt inspired a lot of confidence among the Mariners support ahead of another challenge against Chester FC at the weekend.

The first real chance for the visitors came in the 16th minute, when captain Robbie Tinkler and Dan Dodds combined to find Will Jenkins, via Blackett, whose shot went out for a corner.

Two minutes later, they tried again – Dodds crossed from the byline in the hope of finding Blackett but the attempt sailed over his head.

Blackett tried his luck a few minutes later, the tempo of the game ever-increasing, but he failed to connect with the ball, which had flown over the top into his path.

Tuesday’s hosts were looking to put in a stronger performance than last Saturday, when they lost 3-0 to Darlington FC; three second-half goals undone them that day.

At the half-time break the scores were level – 0-0 – so they could be relatively pleased with the way things went.

Shields would have naturally been a little disappointed not to have capitalised on the aforementioned opportunities, but there was still plenty of time remaining in the game to make things count.

An immediate start to the second-half saw the Mariners go through on goal, but Blackett was unable to launch his strike into the back of the net, despite doing much of the hard work in advance.

Caden Kelly then followed up, in the 50th minute, with a cross aimed at the back post which was headed away for a corner.

Blackett then curled an effort just wide in the 68th minute, after some wonderful play in the build-up from Cain Sykes.

Dillon Morse was next in line for an attempt at goal: Rhys Walsh – fresh on loan from Sunderland AFC for 28 days – won a free-kick, which was played towards the back post and back over to Morse, who just couldn’t get it in the net.

Shields finally got the opener they deserved in the 92nd minute, when Ethan Mann played the ball out to Jenkins, who managed to find Scott in the box to tuck it away.

Their lead was doubled in the 95th minute after Dan Ward played a perfect ball through to Blackett, who rounded George Willis en route to the back of the net. 

Ian Watson’s side are back in action this Saturday at 1st Cloud Arena when they host Chester FC (3pm kick-off).

Alfreton Town: Willis, Newall, Leckie, Hunt, Perritt, Lund, German (Beresford 90+2’), Anson, Fewster, Dodoo (Pennant 69’), McDonagh (Ligendza 84’).

South Shields: Sheik, Dodds, Morse, Tinkler, Sykes (Mann 79’), Carson (Alcock 73’), Savage (Ward 63’), Jenkins, Kelly (Walsh 73’), Blackett, Scott.

Unused substitutes: Smith, Briggs, McGowan.

Goals: Scott (90+2’), Blackett (90+5’). 

Attendance: 435.

Image credit: Ian Kelsey (@KDKSportsPhotos).