Match Report: Peterborough Sports 0-3 South Shields

South Shields netted three times in four minutes to sweep away Peterborough Sports on Saturday afternoon as their quest for the Enterprise National League North title continues.

A positive first-half ended level, though it didn’t come without its fair share of chances, and Shields made sure of the three points by roaring into action as play restarted for the final 45 minutes.

Paul Blackett continued his excellent goalscoring form with a quickfire brace, while Derby County loanee Lennon Wheeldon got in on the act in between Blackett’s two goals.

Ian Watson’s side are now unbeaten in 13 games, with their last league defeat coming at home to Kidderminster Harriers all the way back in December.

Sonny Finch did well during the first five minutes to launch a looping cross towards goal but his effort was cleared out for a corner.

Dan Dodds almost scored from range just shy of the 10-minute mark.

A further 10 minutes later, Blackett had a chance to try a hit on target which was deflected out.

The pressure for an opener intensified as Shields continued to impose themselves on the home team: Todd Alcock aimed for Sam Edwards’ left, however the shot-stopper got a touch to it.

Finch tried again five minutes before the break, though his sliding shot was claimed.

Once play resumed for the second-half, the Mariners launched a blistering attack as they scored three goals; firstly in the 48th minute, then in the 50th minute, and finally in the 51st minute.

The game appeared to settle from that moment onward as Shields saw out a well-deserved win, a win that keeps them within touching distance of the league’s summit heading into March.

Coming up next is the long-awaited title tussle between the league’s top two teams – the Mariners host AFC Fylde, who are just one point and one goal difference ahead, on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off).

Peterborough Sports: Edwards, Jarvis (McLintock 58’), Miller, Carayol (Felix 58’), Hickingbottom (Cadogan 66’), Gash (Jeffers 58’), Young, Davies, Coulthirst (Booth 74’), Oakley, Stewart.

Unused substitutes: Whitehouse, Price.

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler (Mann 89’), Bainbridge (Sykes 66’), Morse, Blackett (McGurk 70’), Jenkins (Robson 75’), Ward, Finch (Roles 79’), Wheeldon, Alcock, Dodds.

Unused substitutes: Smith.

Goals: Blackett (48’, 51’), Wheeldon (50’).

Attendance: 379.

Image credit: Alfie Pukka (@illustrate.media).