Match Report: Chester 1-3 South Shields

South Shields ensured they would be top of the pile for Christmas with a comeback 3-1 win away to Chester on Saturday.

Connor Woods gave the hosts the lead early into the second-half, but Paul Blackett, Will Jenkins and Cedwyn Scott got on the scoresheet for the Mariners to turn things around.

Shields, due to results elsewhere, are now two points clear at the summit of the Enterprise National League North table ahead of Boxing Day’s home clash against Spennymoor Town.

Sean McGurk delivered an early ball into the box to find Scott at the back post – his sliding effort across the face of goal narrowly went wide.

Less than 10 minutes later, McGurk shifted the ball from right to left and struck at goal, but the shot flew over the bar.

Jack Bainbridge, and ex-Mariner Dylan Mottley-Henry, created danger in the box soon after, however both chances were cleared by Tom Watson and Luke Woolston respectively.

Cain Sykes did excellently to put his body on the line and defend Pat Jones’ turn-and-shoot inside the 18-yard box in the 23rd minute.

Watson was dependable when needed as he pulled off a handful of comfortable stops to deny the hosts from scoring during the opening 45 minutes.

In the 49th minute, Shields conceded a penalty – Robbie Tinkler made contact with Mottley-Henry following a free-kick.

Woods made no mistake from the spot, although Watson came close to getting a convincing touch on it.

Eight minutes later, the Mariners levelled proceedings through Blackett, who reacted to Jenkins’ lay-off and placed the ball into the far corner away from George Murray-Jones.

Scott did well in the build-up to get a flick on it, which helped Jenkins to surge ahead on goal in the first place.

One became two in the 65th minute and it would be Jenkins to continue his excellent form; a fine curling strike from McGurk just outside the box found a waiting Jenkins near the goalmouth to head it in.

Blackett and Scott combined for the team’s third goal to cap off a fine display away from home just before Christmas.

Chester: Murray-Jones, Kelly-Evans, Leak, Peers (F. Roberts 78’), J. Bainbridge, Mottley-Henry, Leigh, Woods (Weeks 66’), Jones, Carson, K. Roberts (Woodthorpe 78’).

Unused substitutes: Davies, Murray, Shrimpton, Shorrock.

Goals: Woods (49’).

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, O. Bainbridge, Sykes (Ward 59’), McGurk (Gordon 72’), Blackett (Wheeldon 83’), Jenkins, Mann, Scott, Woolston (Alcock 52’), Dodds.

Unused substitutes: Savage, Sloan.

Goals: Blackett (58’), Jenkins (65’), Scott (80’).

Attendance: 2,324 (97 away fans).

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19).