Match Report: Oxford City 1-4 South Shields

South Shields capped off a fine week with a 4-1 win away against Oxford City on Saturday afternoon.

A whirlwind opening five minutes saw Shields take an early lead through debutant Ben Middlemas, while Corie Andrews -  making his first start for The Hoops - replied almost immediately.

Paul Blackett proved to be the difference-maker in the second-half, with his two goals adding to Aidan Rutledge’s complement to round up an excellent display by Elliott Dickman’s side.

The manager made just the one change from Tuesday’s win against Warrington Town, with new arrival Middlemas coming into the fold, in place of the injured Dan Ward. 

His introduction couldn’t have got off to a better start - Kyle Crossley played it through to Blackett who laid it off to MIddlemas, whose shot slammed into the net, beyond reach for Hoops keeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle. 

Captain Reece Fleet pinged a cross over the pitch to Lewis Coyle and he managed to find Andrews who made no mistake soon after.

There were further chances beyond that initial flurry, like when Crossley had two shots blocked on the line.

If not for the backline’s quick thinking, he could have given Shields the lead again. 

Boney pulled off some incredible saves as well, for example when he stopped Josh Parker at point-blank range during the first-half. 

The second-half started off in stormy fashion - both in a literal and metaphorical sense - when Blackett ran around Cardo Siddik and coolly rolled the ball past McKenzie-Lyle.

Two became three when Blackett created, articulated and demonstrated his own chance, in what was truly a stand-out performance by the talisman.

Rutledge was brought on during the second-half and he grabbed Shields’ fourth of the afternoon just a few minutes after the change was made.

Blackett set things up for the loanee to tap it in, and in doing so, Rutledge got his first goal in claret and blue.

Blackett himself was through one-on-one with an open net very late on but he was unable to poke it in and get a hat-trick, on a stunning afternoon for The Mariners. .

The team have little room to rest, with Monday’s home challenge against promotion candidates Scunthorpe United next on the agenda. 

South Shields: Boney, Shepherd (Taylor), Bramwell, Broadbent, Okeke, Briggs, Middlemas, Jenkins (Mee), Blackett, Heaney (McGowan), Crossley (Rutledge). 

Substitutes: Seymour.  

Goals: Middlemas (‘2), Blackett (‘49, ‘62), Rutledge (‘78)

Oxford City: McKenzie-Lyle, Burley, Ashby, Jones, Coyle, Fleet, Andrews, McEachran, Siddik, Parker, Elliott-Wheeler.

Substitutes: Kpekawa, Stretton, Potter, Carbon, Roddy. 

Goals: Andrews (‘4).