MATCH REPORT: SPENNYMOOR TOWN 1-1 SOUTH SHIELDS 

Paul Blackett header not enough as South Shields share the spoils with derby rivals Spennymoor Town

The Mariners afternoon began fantastic – with Ian Watson’s side dominating the first-half and opening the deadlock one minute before the half-time whistle. 

The second-half was another tale of attacking dominance from the Mariners however, with 18 minutes to go their chances of taking three points back to South Tyneside became much harder as Corey McKeown equalised for the hosts.

The visitors came into the game with an unchanged 11 hoping to build off their previous back-to-back home victories against Merthyr Town and Alfreton Town. 

Shields hotshot Blackett was seeking his 26th league goal of the season against his former side.

The visiting Mariners began brightly with a massive chance inside three minutes through Lennon Wheeldon. 

Wheeldon received the ball down the right side before cutting in and attempting to thunder the ball back across Brad James goal, however the hosts keeper made the save.

Just 17 minutes later, the Mariners crafted yet another neat chance – their talisman Blackett being denied by another crucial save by James.

Will Jenkins fired a ball into Blackett’s path however, the original ball failed to be headed away by Ben Pollock allowing for Blackett to pick up the loose ball before curling the ball toward the bottom right corner but James made a crucial full-stretch save to deny the striker.

And with just three minutes left of the first-half – again Jenkins was causing danger in the hosts half. 

Todd Alcock drove forward before allowing Jenkins to pick up the ball and himself burst forward and then unleash a left-footed effort that just crept over the bar.

Right on the stroke of half-time the visitors talisman, Blackett stepped up when needed and headed the ball into the bottom left corner. 

Cain Sykes whipped a delicious ball into the box which was met by Blackett’s head and sailed into the bottom corner of James goal.

The second-half began and Watson’s Mariners looked as dangerous as they did in the first-half with Blackett coming close to his second of the game in the 53rd minute. 

Wheeldon found Dan Dodds down the left who fired a ball over the top into Blackett’s path who took it in his path and thundered an effort at James goal, however the shot was rising and went over the bar.

However, 19 minutes later the hosts McKeown slotted the ball into the bottom right corner equalising the scoring.

Spennymoor Town: James, Dyson, Jones, Heaney, Taylor, Ramshaw, Stephenson, Pollock, Hill, McKeown, Salkeld

South Shields: Watson (Sheik 46’), Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes, Blackett, Mann, Finch, Wheeldon (Roles 75’), Alcock, Dodds (McAndrew 82’)

Unused substitutes: Morse, Smith, Kelly, Savage, 

Goals: Blackett 44’ McKeown 72’

Attendance: 2133 (522 away)