Winn surges forward
South Shields Line Up
- J Carmichael
- S Banks
- N McArdle
- P Stoneman
- D Hall
- S Fitzpatrick
- B Smith
- LP Scroggins (Capt)
- S Ramsey
- C Winn
- C Armstrong
- A Brabbs
- D Graham
- R Briggs
- D O’Brien
- R Mandombo
South Shields welcomed Tow Law Town to Filtrona Park for what was expected to be a close and competitive contest. The visitors sat below The Mariners in the league table, only separated by goal difference. If Shields were to prove that they were capable of climbing the table then three points would be a must. The pitch looked in good condition despite the recent rainfall. This is testament to those who have put in the hard work over the last few seasons to improve the pitch quality. Game on…
Banging heads together
First Half Highlights
9 mins – Shields have their first attempt at goal, a long range effort from Scroggins which clears the crossbar.
10 mins – Fitzpatrick receives the ball in the box but his shot his blocked by a Tow Law defender. The ball lands at Ramsey’s feet and he tries his luck but the ball hits another defender in the crowded penalty area and the ball is eventually cleared.
22 mins – Chris Winn curls an effort from the corner of the 18 yard box. The ball flies just wide of the right hand post.
27 mins – Halliday isn’t closed down and finds himself with a yard of space. He gets a decent shot away but the ball skids wide of the right hand upright.
29 mins – A free kick is floated in to the Tow Law penalty area. Scroggins climbs above the crowd in the box to get his head to the ball. He couldn’t get the contact he wanted and the ball inched over the bar.
43 mins – Scott received the ball just outside of the six yard box. Carmichael raced out to get the ball, and Stoneman came flying in to try and dispossess the Tow Law player. Between the two of them they halted the visiting striker and safely gained possession of the ball.
Armstrong on the gallop
Scoggins "shoulders" the task of controlling the ball
The first half was a largely uninspiring. There were few clear cut chances at goal for either side. Shields seemed keen on sending too many long balls forward which the Tow Law defence were comfortable dealing with. Whilst The Mariners had the greater possession they were unable to unlock the visitors defence. At this stage the game had 0-0 plastered all over it. Surely the second half would see a change.
Ramsey sees his path blocked
Winn was a constant threat
Second Half Highlights
46 mins – Banks produced some good work down the right flank and crossed the ball in to the box. Winn was quickest to react but his shot went the wrong side of the left hand post.
47 mins – Armstrong raced down the right wing and produced an excellent cross in to the Tow Law box. Scroggins leapt the highest and guided his header home form eight yards, giving Robinson no chance in the visitors’ goal. 1-0.
48 mins – Chris Winn produces a looping header which sends Robinson scrambling back towards his line. However the Tow Law keeper regains his composure and makes the safe comfortably in the end.
53 mins – Hewitson fired in a good shot from 12 yards out but Carmichael was equal to it and produced a fine save, pushing the ball away and in to a safe area.
55 mins – Winn went on a great direct run and headed straight in to the Tow Law penalty area. He seemed to be fouled but he stayed on his feet and managed to get a shot on target. Robinson flung himself to his right and managed to produce a decent save to prevent Shields from doubling their lead.
56 mins – Hall produced some great work to get himself in to the penalty area with the ball. As he ventured towards the by-line to cross the ball he had his legs taken from under him by Killeen. Penalty! Scroggins placed the ball on the spot. He slotted the ball in to the right hand corner of the goal, sending the Tow Law keeper the wrong way. 2-0.
60 mins – An inch perfect pass from Armstrong found the feet of Winn. He cut inside and curled his shot towards goal but his effort ran just wide of the left hand post.
62 mins – Scroggins fired in a rasping free kick from 25 yards out which forced the visitor’s keeper to produce a good save low to his left.
63 mins – Smith thumps a great header in to the Tow Law net after a cross, which was pin point accurate, from Winn on the right wing. Unfortunately the goal was not allowed to stand as the linesman (sorry Referee’s Assistant) had flagged for offside.
66 mins – Barrie Smith whipped in a lovely cross and Ramsey connected with the ball beautifully to head it home and increase the lead to 3-0.
68 mins – Ian Davison cracks a stunning free kick from 25 yards that flies in to the back of the net and gave Carmichael no chance of producing a save. A fantastic effort that saw many Shields fans applauding. 3-1.
69 mins – Smith delivers another fantastic cross in to the Tow Law box. Ramsey sent a header towards goal which was saved. The ball then fell to the feet of Armstrong who calmly stroked it home from close range to extend the lead. 4-1.
70 mins – Tow Law pushed forward to try and reduce the deficit. Parkinson took a half chance to hit the ball towards Carmichael in the Shields goal but his effort comfortably rolled wide of the left hand post.
72 mins – Halliday struck a speculative shot from 18 yards but it didn’t trouble Carmichael and the ball went harmlessly wide.
86 mins – Ramsey raced towards the touchline and whipped in a fierce cross along the face of the visitors’ goal. Smith raced in and threw himself at the ball but failed to make contact by a fraction of an inch.
Ramsey & Fitzpatrick are both foiled by the Tow Law rearguard
Winn fights to keep the ball
South Shields were like a different team after the interval. They were threatening from the restart right up until the final whistle. Once the kept the ball on the ground and ran at the opposition they caused untold problems to The Lawyers. Smith, Armstrong and Winn caused a number of problems by running at the visitors with the ball at their feet. Scroggins and Fitzpatrick pulled the strings in the centre of the park. The back four were solid throughout with Stoneman and Hall starting to form what looks like a decent partnership.
A human Newton's Cradle
The win moves Shields up to tenth place, leapfrogging Penrith. The Mariners have a run of tough away fixtures coming up, including Spennymoor Town and Newcastle Benfield, so getting some points on the board is certainly welcomed. Also it helps set the team up to build and progress. They have shown against Tow Law Town that they can play some good football.
Scroggins tries his luck from 25 yards
Some of the forthcoming away fixtures are against sides that are in the lower half of the division. It would be hoped that a decent haul of points could be accrued to put Shields in a strong position for the New Year. I am sure there will be the usual strong contingent of supporters cheering the lads on!
Onwards and upwards!
