MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 1-3 SHREWSBURY TOwn

Late Luke Woolston goal isn’t enough as South Shields exit FA Cup in fighting style 

The Mariners began the FA Cup clash brightly, creating two dangerous opportunities early on, however shortly after the 20th minute-mark, the hosts conceded a penalty — dispatched by Anthony Scully. 

Thirteen minutes later Scully was at it again, tucking in from close-range to put the visitors two goals to the good. 

Then, right on the stroke of half-time, Shrewsbury scored another with Thomas Sang firing into the roof of the net. 

However South Shields were not going down without a fight, as they continued to get chances in the second-half and clawed one back thanks to Woolston’s curling effort in the 67th minute.

The Mariners came into Saturday’s lunch time FA Cup clash confident, sitting top of the Enterprise National League and having a cup spirit among them, following their previous outings in the FA Cup against Guiseley, Chorley and Spalding United.

South Shields started vividly, producing two threatening opportunities in the opening five minutes. 

The first of which saw Paul Blackett play a ball through the lines into Cedywn Scott whose strike dragged wide. 

The second then, a long-distance strike from Oliver Bainbridge that was only a few yards wide of the post. 

In the 21st minute of the game the visitors got a golden opportunity as a penalty-kick was awarded after Will Boyle judged to have been pulled down inside the box. 

Scully stepped up and dispatched the penalty, firing into the bottom left corner to break the deadlock.

With more than 10 minutes before the half-time whistle blew, Shrewsbury went two goals to the good — Scully secured himself a brace. 

Captain John Marquis was played into space by Ismeal Kabia, before fizzing a ball that deflected into Scully’s path, who tucked home the visitors second of the game.

Shrewsbury soon after were at it again — another breakaway saw Thomas McDermott find goalscorer Scully whose shot was saved, however the ball fell into the path of Sang who fired into the roof of the net.

The second-half was rather quiet compared to the chaotic nature of the first, however a half which showed the fighting spirit Ian Watson’s men have.

The first chance of the second-half then came in the 63rd minute when Kabia tip-toed toward the edge of the box and released an effort at goal, however the strike was comfortably caught by Jasper Sheik.

South Shields needed something miraculous to get themselves back into the game, and that they soon got. 

Four minutes later, Woolston fired in an effort from the left side of the field that rocketed into the top right corner looping over William Brook. 

In the 77th minute the visitors came close to a fourth of the afternoon when substitutes Malvind Benning and George Lloyd linked up. 

A simple enough header from Benning found Lloyd who then headed at goal but his effort raised over the bar.

The last chance of the game fell to Shrewsbury with Kabia going through on goal — the winger tried taking it round Sheik to find an angle to shoot, however his strike was stopped by the Mariners number-one.

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes, Morse, Blackett (Carson 46’), Jenkins (Savage 90’), Scott, Kelly (McGurk 60’), Woolston (Alcock 81’), Dodds (Ward 60’)

Shrewsbury Town: Brook, Anderson, Boyle, Clucas (Blenning 13’), McDermott, Sang (Perry 46’), Scully (Hoole 60’), Kabia, Ruffels (Biggins 81’), Stubbs, Marquis (Lloyd 60’)

South Shields unused substitutes: Mann, McGowan 

Shrewsbury Town unused substitutes: Harrison, Aneke, England, Gray 

Goals: Scully 22’ 34’ Sang 43’ Woolston 67’

Attendance: 3570