Shields' sub sinks Rylands

By Garry Clarke

A late goal from South Shields’ substitute Robert Briggs sunk Warrington Rylands and extended the Blues winless run in the NPL Premier Division to seven games, but this one came on the back of one of their best performances of the season.

A performance that saw Rylands dominate the game, but could not put the ball in the back of the net. A performance which had many of the locals claiming Rylands were the best side to have faced the favourites to win the league this season.

The kick-off at Mariners Park was put back by 15 minutes due to the late arrival of the Rylands team coach which had been delayed on the A1, but the visitors showed no signs of “coach lag” as they took the game to their hosts from the off.

Leading goal scorer Callum Dolan was heavily involved in the opening exchanges having a shot blocked by a Shields defender, seeing another fly inches wide of the target and being denied by a good save from goalkeeper Myles Boney, all in the first seven minutes of an entertaining game.

Martin Smith had the home side’s first attempt on goal in the 9th minute sending a long-range shot over the bar.

The home side tried to play out from the back, but was often caught in possession by a hardworking Rylands outfit which won the ball back in some dangerous positions for the home side.

Boney was called into action again in the 14th minute to push keep out a 25-yard shot from Dolan, and a minute later to keep out a shot from Harry Pratt. Dolan had another shot blocked by a desperate defender and Sean Cooke fired a shot over the bar from outside the area.

A virtual spectator for most of the first half, Rylands goalkeeper Joel Torrance was tested for the first time in the 38th minute. Dylan Mottley-Henry cut in from the right and let fly with a shot from 25 yards, diving full length the big keeper was equal to the task.

As the half drew to a close Smith won the ball on the halfway line, spotting Torrance off his line he audaciously tried to chip him but the all drifted harmlessly wide before the half finished with Boney making a finger tip save to tip another Dolan shot over the bar.

The second half starts with Dolan shooting just wide from distance before Shields have a couple of attempts at goal of their own with Torrance easily saving a Mackenzie Heaney shot in the 55th minute while the same player was off target with another effort ten minutes later.

After a scrappy period of play in which referee Mr Scott booked several players from both sides, the Shields substitute struck in the 84th minute.

Motley-Henry outflanked the Rylands rearguard, reaching the dead ball line he pulled back a low cross which was met on the far side of a packed penalty are by Briggs who struck the ball into the roof of the net.

The full-time professionals of South Shields saw out the final minutes to move up to 2nd in the table.

SOUTH SHIELDS – Boney, Newton, Broadbent, Liddle, Morse, Smith (Ross), Mottley-Henry, Woods (Carrington), Russ (Briggs), Heaney, Adams. Subs not used Doherty, Hunter.

RYLANDS – Torrance, Hayde, Mustoe (Hunt), Hockenhull, Egerton, Furman, Dolan, McCourt, Pratt, Cooke (N’Mai), Drummond (Neild). Sub not used Cookson.

Attendance 2,003