Nigel Preece reports from South Shields.
I can't believe it's almost 30 years since I saw a game in supposedly England's most passionate football city. I say supposedly as my only visit to the slightly larger St James Park (compared to Exeter or even Brackley!) was in Euro 96 and those mad passionate football fans couldn't be bothered to show up to see Stoichkov v Hagi; less than 20k present to see a narrow win for Bulgaria.
I'd not made it to previous games at South Shields nor our various trips to Gateshead as United or FC, the latter as a venue never appealed in the slightest, watching football rattling around in a soulless athletics stadium.
Reports from fans who'd been to South Shields previously were positive so I decided to finally make the effort; far too much travel for a day trip, my time of doing day returns to the likes of Carlisle or Hartlepool are long done, so a weekend trip to Newcastle it was.
It was, therefore, travel up Friday, a civilised start to Saturday morning, a decent breakfast in Grainger Market followed by a walking tour of Newcastle city centre. Very touristy indeed! A stroll across the Millennium Bridge, a bus to Gateshead and metro past the ground to South Shields itself where the Stags Head and the Marine provided pre match beers. Thanks to London Bulls, Alan and Jo, for their pub suggestions and good to see Geordie Mick looking very chilled back on home turf.
A short metro trip back to Bede station and 5 minutes stroll to South Shields FC. My first impressions were positive, a small but neat ground, covered terraces at both ends, a clubhouse in one corner and the main stand very decent. What was striking though was the number of catering and bar outlets; like too many clubs they may be reliant on one benefactor but clearly that's not taken for granted here and the place had a vibrant, buzzing feel to it.
Clearly that positivity is helped by their season so far, top of the league, plus a winnable (hopefully) FA Cup tie coming up against the Slop. It all had the signs of a tricky afternoon for us visitors.
We lined up Richardson, Skinner, Preston, Howkins, Hudson, a start for Mafuta, D'Ath, the returning Parker, Sterling-James, Williams and Campbell. It was difficult to see if Hudson was tucked in as a third centre back and Parker as left sided wing back or the latter was more left sided midfield, but what was clear was the home side's capability with the ball. They passed the ball confidently and crisply from the back, orchestrated by the impressive Tinkler, finding holes between our lines and creating space and opportunities. It was high quality for this league and it was to our credit that we kept our shape as best we could and limited their chances to a handful. When Shields did get in front it was more than fortunate. Mafuta slipped and was dispossessed, a forward was played in, his shot from the left was saved by Richardson but the ball ricocheted off Matt Preston into the net. When you're top of the league, playing well and creating opportunities, I guess you get things going for you. It wasn't the last of their good fortune.
Any attacks we had in the first 45 seemed to stem from the lively Parker, one exquisite first touch left a defender sprawling and the away fans purring but clear chances were at a premium. Right on half time Campbell was clearly held in the area, his defender forced to grab his shirt to halt his progress; appeals but no penalty. Despite that, Shields were well worth their lead at the break; frankly, despite the unfortunate goal conceded, it could have been worse.
Pre match info had indicated the game would be segregated. It wasn't, so we were able to change ends at half time. I stuck my head in the bar under the main stand, busy in there, far too long a queue to even contemplate getting a beer or a pie. But clearly plenty of money being made.
I had wryly commented that changing ends was perhaps a mistake as we wouldn't see much action at the end we were attacking. I was wrong. Very wrong.
It only took two minutes for the game to change. Mafuta played a quality ball through the inside right channel for Campbell to break their defensive line, Rem squared to Willo, who in turn rolled it to his left for Parker to drive home from 12 yards for a fine equaliser.
From then on we dominated territory if not chances. We were able to break up Shields crisp passing of the first half and regularly won the ball back further up the pitch. Edwards came on for Willo, I guess the theory was he could run at the centre of Shields’ defence as he had so effectively at Leamington, it didn't really work as well as two weeks before though.
The winning goal perhaps demonstrated as much as anything why they're top of the league. We'd had a wave of attacks but a lightening quick break and three or four passes / touches later we were behind again. The first flick clear was class but was perhaps helped by D'Ath hesitating slightly; he'd picked up an injury just after our equaliser, tried to run it off but, in this instance, a fully mobile Lawson may have prevented the break starting, perhaps even giving away a soft free kick. When Richards came on he did this several times to good effect.
Shortly after came the key moment. We won two headers in the box, the second one beat the keeper and was cleared off the line by a defender, clearly off his arm. Quite probably I had a better view than the referee, either way no decision was forthcoming. It should have been a penalty and a red card. You get lucky when you're winning every week too.
I mentioned Richards above, he had a good 30 minutes, breaking up play and using the ball sensibly. Quansah came on too, the injured D'Ath and Mafuta making way. The latter, understandably looked rusty, there were some good signs, the pass forward for our goal and some timely interceptions; hopefully we'll see more of what he can do in future weeks.
Osborne came on for Hudson as we properly went for it. Shields had to forgo their football and resort to full on shithousery to hang on. A succession of supposed injuries, substitutions and fouls (they had 6 booked second half which summed it up) contributed to just about keeping us out.
Saying that, for all Sterling-James and Osborne pushed and prompted and Parker's constant marauding down the left, clear chances weren't really forthcoming. Campbell hit one fierce drive straight at the keeper and had one great chance when he made room but didn't get off a clean strike and it was easily saved.
Naturally, Shields looked to pick us off on the break and once or twice it looked odds on we'd concede again when we were very exposed but Richardson and some last ditch defending kept us in it.
Seven minutes of injury time weren't fully played and with 2 or 3 minutes of that wasted by the home team, it was a frustrating end.
I did the Bulls News report on the Leamington game two weeks ago and commented that while we deserved to win, as so often in football, games revolve around critical moments. This one was certainly the case; for all the quality football played by Shields it took an unfortunate og and a break that normally would have been stopped before it started. And then there was the lack of a decision which should have resulted in a red card and penalty. Small margins again.
We had to wait a fair while for a post match metro which wasn't great for Jo, it severely curtailed her post match pub wind down before her train back to that London. Those of us stopping over had less of a rush, some busy city centre pubs saw our custom. I hope those of you who made the long day trip all got home ok? You're all heroes.