Match Report: Radcliffe 1-2 South Shields

Jordy Mongoy's well-taken brace saw South Shields climb to the top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League as they got the better of Radcliffe on Wednesday.

The Mariners produced one of their finest away performances of the season to deservedly win 2-1 at the Neuven Stadium, with Mongoy netting both goals on his first start for the club.

The Wealdstone loanee opened the scoring on 13 minutes and doubled his account midway through the second half to move Shields into a commanding position.

Rick Smith's header for the hosts five minutes from full-time set up what could have been a nervous ending, but Shields were rarely troubled again in the closing stages as they climbed above Gainsborough Trinity into top spot.

Mongoy was one of four players brought into the starting line-up for the Mariners, with Callum Ross, Lewis Alessandra and Josh Doherty also drafted into the team.

The away side fired a warning as to their intentions after just 17 seconds when Mongoy skipped inside from the left and struck an effort which cleared the crossbar.

Shields were bright throughout the opening exchanges and were inches away from going ahead, but Mongoy slid the ball just the wrong side of the post after winning possession high up the pitch.

He did not have to wait too much longer to get off the mark, though, with the forward played into an excellent position after some fine work by Jordan Hunter before wrong-footing the goalkeeper with a low, composed finish.

The Mariners almost made it a quickfire double as a crossfield ball found Darius Osei and he brought it onto his left foot before being denied by the legs of home goalkeeper Tom Stewart.

Against the run of play, Radcliffe had a golden opportunity to equalise when Bobby Grant won the ball in the Shields penalty area and squared it to Matty Grivosti, whose clean strike was brilliantly blocked by Blair Adams.

Kevin Phillips' side had a number of half-chances to double their lead before half-time, and the closest they came was a left-foot drive from Hunter which whistled over the bar.

The Mariners fully merited their advantage at the break, and their only frustration would have been that they were not further ahead.

Mongoy almost put that right nine minutes into the second half as his venemous effort from distance flew towards the top corner, but Stewart did brilliantly to palm it over.

Shields' play was rewarded in the 71st minute when the impressive Alessandra beat the defence with a through ball which Mongoy latched onto before taking it around Stewart and slotting home.

Jake Thompson fired into the side netting as Radcliffe searched for a route back into the game, but their comeback hopes were almost scuppered by Shields substitute Mackenzie Heaney, who flashed a shot narrowly off target.

Smith rose highest to head in from a corner with five minutes left as Boro were handed a lifeline.

However, Shields saw the remainder of the match out well to secure maximum points.

They go into Saturday's home fixture against Ashton United sitting top of the pile. The game will kick-off at the earlier than usual time of 1pm.

South Shields: Boney, Hunter, Adams (c), Liddle, Morse, Smith, Ross, Osei, Alessandra (Mottley-Henry 90), Doherty, Mongoy (Heaney 77). Subs not used: Gomes, Doherty.

Goals: Mongoy (13, 71).

Attendance: 533.

Image: Kev Wilson.