Match Report: South Shields 1-0 Buxton

Aidan Rutledge was the difference-maker for South Shields as they beat Buxton 1-0 at 1st Cloud Arena in the Vanarama National League North. 

His header on the brink of half-time secured Shields a valuable victory, which elevated them up to eighth place on Tuesday night. 

Elliott Dickman swapped Coleby Shepherd for Jamie Bramwell in the line-up, while Will Jenkins started following his substitute appearance against Scarborough Athletic on Saturday. 

Although it was a slow start to the game, the visitors came closest to taking the lead.

Skipper Robert Briggs’ ball went astray and landed perfectly for Djavan Pedro to lay it off to Connor Kirby, whose shot sailed over the bar.

Liam Ravenhill then weaved his way into the final third and got a shot off, which reached Myles Boney thanks to a clearance by Bramwell. 

Buxton made the most of their young keeper, True Grant, who sprayed a wonderful ball over to the right-hand side, where Dermi Lusala was waiting, on the edge of the 18-yard box.

Lusala managed to turn round and square an inviting ball to Ben Sault, who couldn’t get his shot off cleanly. If he had, then it stood every chance of hitting the back of the net.

Minutes later Pedro tried a shot after a quick spin, which Boney managed to block.

Talisman Paul Blackett was unfortunately taken off through injury in the 33rd minute, to be replaced by Shepherd.

A heart-in-mouth scramble in the box saw Josh Popoola give everything to try and get a goal but nothing concrete could be created from it.

The two teams were finally separated when Briggs’ free-kick (awarded because substitute Shepherd was taken down by Sault), found Rutledge who only had to nod it home. 

At the interval, Jenkins made way for Ewan McGowan, and a nasty collision from Kieran Burton on Jid Okeke meant he couldn’t continue either. 

Highlights after the break included Kyle Crossley’s spin-and-shot - unfortunate not to go in - and a nail-biting header by Sam Tomlinson which forced Boney into making a leaping reach in the final minutes. 

Ultimately though, it’s the result which matters and Dickman will be delighted with the way his team conducted themselves in getting over the line, to win their fourth match in five games. 

An away trip to Chester awaits The Mariners on Saturday for the next chapter of this campaign.

South Shields: Boney, Okeke (Taylor ‘79), Bramwell, Briggs, Jenkins (McGowan ‘45), Middlemas, Mee, Crossley, Heaney, Blackett (Shepherd ‘33), Rutledge. 

Unused substitutes: Seymour, Watts. 

Goals: Rutledge (‘45+4). 

Buxton: Grant, Lusala, Mann, Kirby, Elliott, Pedro (Tomlinson ‘80), Sault (Stobbs ‘45), White (Granite ‘86), Ravenhill (Leigh ‘70), Popoola, Burton.

Unused substitutes: Ayres. 

Attendance: 1,785.