Match Report: Radcliffe 2-5 South Shields

South Shields responded to Easter Monday’s defeat against Darlington with a blistering 5-2 win away at Radcliffe on Saturday.

Paul Blackett stunned the hosts with a quickfire brace within minutes of the game’s start, before David Ball claimed one for Radcliffe later in the first-half.

The travelling Mariners would then turn up the heat following the restart, and three goals in 10 minutes – from Oli Bainbridge, an own goal, and Will Jenkins – ensured Shields would claim all three points.

Rio Clegg netted late on, but it was more a consolation goal as Ian Watson’s side had already done enough to return to the North East happy.

It means the Mariners find themselves just three points behind AFC Fylde, who lead the division, and Shields also have one game in hand over them.

Things couldn’t be more closer as the title race continues to intensify, with the goal difference between the top two sides being by just one goal, with three games remaining.

With that in mind, they had the perfect start when Blackett netted his 27th and 28th goals of the Enterprise National League North campaign during the first six minutes.

Shields seemed to blow the hosts away with their athleticism and confidence on the ball, which resulted in numerous clear-cut chances being created during the 90 minutes.

Defensively, meanwhile, Ethan Mann did brilliantly to stop what could have been a Radcliffe equaliser in the 12th minute, with his header off the line.

Sean McGurk was unlucky to have his shot from outside the box go narrowly wide, while Blackett struck the post following an exquisite passing routine around the penalty area.

Radcliffe's equaliser did come, in the 33rd minute, after a long ball found Jon Taylor, who wrestled and won a battle with Bainbridge, before he cut inside and had his shot blocked.

Ball was there, however, to rifle his attempt into the far-right corner and past Jasper Sheik.

Shields regained their confidence in the second-half and a stunning 15 minute segment following kick-off was enough to seal the win in style.

Radcliffe had no answers for the Mariners’ short-passing abilities, which at times completely overwhelmed their defence.

It was responsible for goals three – Bainbridge – and five – Jenkins, on his 150th appearance for the club.

McGurk appeared to have his goal, the team's fourth of the afternoon, deflected as it went in.

Sheik pulled off an oustanding stop just before the 80th minute to deny Tyler James from close-range.

Clegg, though, managed to round Sheik with eight minutes on the clock and get a second goal back for Radcliffe, but by then it was too late for it to make a tangible impact on the result.

The lads now play their game in hand against Macclesfield on Tuesday, April 14th at 1st Cloud Arena (7:45pm kick-off).

Radcliffe: Hewelt, McFadzean, Smith, Maynard, Hulme (Afuye 64’), Taylor (James 64’), Roscoe, Clegg (Halford 90+4’), O’Grady-Macken, Greenfield, Ball (Oyibo 72’).

Unused substitutes: Halstead, Partington, Sesay.

Goals: Ball (33’), Clegg (82’).

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler (Morse 62’), Bainbridge, McGurk, Blackett (Wheeldon 70’), Jenkins, Mann, Finch (Kelly 71’), Alcock, Dodds, Roles McAndrew (78’).

Unused substitutes: Seymour, Sykes, Smith.

Goals: Blackett (4’, 6’), Bainbridge (51’), Own Goal (59’), Jenkins (61’)