Match Report: South Shields FC 1-0 Southport FC

Sonny Finch shines and nets late winner in first start for the club.

The Mariners dominated right from the first whistle, however couldn’t seem to get the ball in the back of the net, until January signing Finch, kept his composure and slotted the ball home with seven minutes to go. 

Ian Watson’s Mariners came into the game confident having won their previous fixture in a dominant 3-0 display against Leamington. 

Shields made two changes for tonight’s fixture, Lennon Wheeldon and new signing Finch would make Watson’s starting eleven in favour of Dan Ward and top scorer Paul Blackett.

The Mariners didn’t find a real chance at goal until the 25th minute when they crafted a golden opportunity. Will Jenkins played a lovely trivella through to Dan Dodds who cut it back toward Wheeldon whose strike unfortunately blazed wide. 

Ten minutes later the visitors crafted their chance at goal. Danny Lloyd drove forward and into the box before cutting it back to DJ Pedro who took the shot on, however, Tom Watson’s legs denied the visitors the opener.

The last chance of the first-half fell to the hosts through Cedwyn Scott. 

Scott won the initial free-kick which saw Cain Sykes whip the ball into the striker, who managed to get a slight flick on the ball but Southport cleared it away from danger.

Shields were desperate to score the opener and in the 66th minute they had yet another huge chance to score.

Captain Robbie Tinkler played a ball through the lines into Wheeldon who looked to lob Chris Renshaw, the keeper denied the chance but the ball fell into Scott’s path who couldn’t get a connection and steer it into the net.

And then finally the Mariners got the breakthrough and it was their new boy Finch who slotted home the goal. 

A direct ball was played through from Dodds

into Finch who, being held back, kept himself upright, remained composed and tucked the ball into the back of the net.

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes, Jenkins, Mann, Finch (Ward 86’), Wheeldon (Morse 87’), Scott, Alcock, Dodds (McGurk 69’)

Southport FC: Renshaw, Pike, Dwyer, Lavelle, Moore, Lloyd, Slew, Pedro, Gnahoua, Keane, Griffiths

Unused substitutes: Blackett, Blaney, Savage, Sloan

Goals: Finch 83’

Attendance: 1635