Match Report: South Shields 3-3 Chorley

Sam Hodgson’s stunning stoppage-time equaliser earned South Shields a hard-fought point, in a 3-3 draw against Chorley on Saturday.

An attendance of just shy of 2,000 packed 1st Cloud Arena to witness a game that appeared to have it all, and it culminated in the 95th minute with Hodgson’s leveller.

The Mariners had been trailing for much of the game – Kole Hall gave The Magpies the lead just 10 minutes in, and Momodou Touray compounded matters just six minutes later.

Almost as quickly as Shields went behind, however, they managed to claw things back.

Mackenzie Heaney wowed supporters with a powerful hit from range in the 51st minute, and Hodgson grabbed his first of the afternoon to level things in the 56th minute. 

Chorley would regain the lead thanks to Mark Ellis with twenty minutes of the clock remaining, but there was still a twist in the tale to be told before full-time. 

The biggest change on Elliott Dickman’s part, ahead of the game, was swapping Myles Boney out for Kyle Seymour in goal.

But he was unfortunate not to get near Chorley's opener, which came from a corner.

Joe Nolan swung it in and he found Ellis at the back who was able to guide his flick across to Hall, who made no mistake.

Things were made worse a matter of minutes later after Tom Broadbent’s attempted clearance failed to go anywhere, and he was taken out of action as George Horbury ran through on goal.

Jamie Bramwell had two Chorley players to try and contend with, but he was unable to do anything, as Horbury played the easy pass to Touray, who only needed to hit it once before it struck the back of the net. 

Signs of a fightback on Shields’ part wouldn’t truly be realised until after the break, when they got two goals in a handful of minutes.

Heaney started things with an incredible rocket from outside the box, which Matthew Urwin could do nothing about.

Hodgson’s equaliser came as a result of Ashton Mee’s lovely through ball, which reached Kyle Crossley on the edge of the 18-yard box.

He managed to cross it in, to find a flying Hodgson at close-range, who saw his effort go past Urwin.

Adam Blakeman was the architect for Chorley’s third of the afternoon following a free-kick.

Ellis was there to head it beyond Seymour – but there was one more goal before full-time. 

Hodgson became the hero for The Mariners with one minute of stoppage time remaining.

Will Jenkins had crossed it in and Hodgson was there to slide it in, for the second time, and the atmosphere at that moment was something to witness. 

Shields are out of Vanarama National League North action for a fortnight, with their next game being the long away trip to 20th-placed Needham Market on Saturday, October 5th. 

South Shields: Seymour, Okeke, Shepherd, Bramwell, Broadbent, Briggs, Smith (McGowan ‘83), Mee (Jenkins ‘65), Heaney, Hodgson, Crossley (Rutledge ‘73).  

Unused substitutes: Boney, Taylor.

Goals: Heaney (‘51), Hodgson (‘56, 90+5)

Chorley: Urwin, Henley, Ellis, Wilson, Blakeman, Nolan, Horbury, Clarke, Calveley, Hall (Rice ‘87), Touray (Carr ‘69).

Unused substitutes: Smith, Moore, Bird. 

Goals: Hall (‘10), Touray (‘16), Ellis (‘70). 

Attendance: 1,952. 

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)