South Shields were in fine form against Hebburn Town on Tuesday as the Mariners ran out comfortable 4-0 victors.
Goals from Darius Osei, Joao Gomes and Jack Watson, as well as an own goal, saw Shields brush their opponents aside as they continued to build momentum going into the new season.
Ntumba Massanka looked to make something happen early in the game as he drove into the Hebburn box, but his effort was blocked well.
Massanka was at the heart of the attack again as he beat his man with a great piece of skill and laid the ball to Osei, but his strike went over.
It wasn’t long before Shields’ early pressure paid off. Osei latched onto a loose backpass, showed great composure to round the goalkeeper and tapped the ball into an empty net.
James McGeorge caused all sorts of problems in the first half, and nearly grabbed a goal. Massanka played the midfielder through, but he dragged his effort just wide.
Moments later, Gomes made it two. A floated cross to the back post by Jordan Hunter found Gomes, who took a touch and fired home.
Shields began to turn on the style as a sequence of passes carved Hebburn open, but Gomes couldn’t quite convert at the end of it.
McGeorge played a sensational ball through to Will Jenkins, who found a way through on goal, but his shot was well saved.
Just after the restart, Massanka slipped Gomes in one-on-one, but a great save denied the young forward a second.
It didn’t take long until the Mariners added a third. A whipped corner was miscued by defender Wayne Phillips and he headed into his own net.
Will McGowan made a great block moments later as the ball looked to be heading for the top corner.
Shields nearly made it four as Sam Hodgson attempted to catch the goalkeeper out at the near post, but his strike was tipped wide.
Just as the full-time whistle was about to blow, the Mariners found their fourth, through fortunate circumstances. McGowan tried his luck from the edge of the area, but the effort hit the back of Watson and wrong-footed the goalkeeper.
Two friendlies remain before the season opener against Stalybridge Celtic, with the Mariners welcoming Pontefract Collieries and Dunston to 1st Cloud Arena.
Shields: Boney, Hunter (Lukeman 62), Broadbent, Bodenham (Marriott 62), Doherty (Watson 62), Briggs (c) (Smith 62), Jenkins (McGowan 62), McGeorge (Woods 62), Osei (Heaney 62), Gomes (Mottley-Henry 62), Massanka (Hodgson 62).
Goals: Osei, Gomes, own goal, Watson.
Attendance: 890.
Image: Ian Kelsey.
Comments