Mariners win Sam Bartram Memorial Cup

South Shields were victorious in the Sam Bartram Memorial Trophy as a youthful team were 3-1 winners at Boldon CA on Monday.

Will McGowan, Alfie Marriott, Will Jenkins, Sam Hodgson and James McGeorge lined up for the Mariners alongside a string of Academy prospects who took their opportunity to shine at the Villa.

An own goal and a composed finish from McGeorge put Shields two goals to the good at the break, but a quick response from Boldon after the interval halved the deficit.

Substitute Albe Fletcher struck the decisive blow from distance 15 minutes from the end as the Mariners claimed the silverware.

There were some eye-catching passages of play throughout the night from Shields, who almost took the lead within the first two minutes when Hodgson was denied from close range by goalkeeper Jimmy Lone.

The lively Matty Telfer headed a presentable opportunity over and Fin Neary cannoned a shot narrowly wide, while at the other end, Olly Walker made an impressive smothering save.

Shields opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Telfer drove down the left and sent a dangerous ball across the area which Lone parried before the ball was turned into the net by Boldon defender Gav Strong.

The visitors were displaying flashes of real quality and could have quickly doubled their advantage when a flowing move down the left eventually led to an opportunity for Jenkins, whose drive was kept out by Lone.

Lone was beaten for a second time just after the half-hour as Bryan Taylor spotted an excellent run by McGeorge and picked out the forward, who rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home.

Hodgson was frustrated by Lone late in the first half and Walker kept out a 25-yard free-kick as no further goals were added before the break.

Boldon pulled one back less than 20 seconds into the second half when the prolific Levi Collins finished from close range.

Jenkins went close to immediately restoring Shields' two-goal lead, but his rasping drive from the edge of the box cleared the crossbar.

McGowan was similarly close with a sweet strike from range before Walker was forced into two fine saves in four minutes to keep the Mariners in front.

With first-team management duo Julio Arca and Tommy Miller watching on, Shields made the game safe on 75 minutes when Fletcher struck superbly into the top corner from 20 yards after a slick move.

Ewan McGowan almost added a fourth for the Mariners, who were led on the night by Andy Inness, Elliott Dickman and Adam Shaw.

South Shields: Walker, Bengochea (Campbell 37), Taylor, W McGowan (Swales 71), Marriott, Davison, Jenkins (c) (Henry 71), Neary (Fletcher 46), Hodgson (Savage 62), McGeorge (E McGowan 62), Telfer (Rhodes 46).

Goals: Strong own goal (21), McGeorge (32), Fletcher (75).

Attendance: 306.

Image: Kev Wilson.