Match Report: South Shields 4-0 Banbury United

South Shields extended their 100% home record in Vanarama National League North with a crushing win over Banbury United on Saturday.

The Mariners' front three of Jordy Mongoy, Paul Blackett and Aaron Martin were all on target in the first half to send Julio Arca's side on their way to a 4-0 win.

Substitute Luke James added the gloss to the scoreline as the game ticked into stoppage time with his second goal in as many games.

Arca returned to the team which defeated Gloucester City 3-0 seven days earlier, and their sharpness was evident from the kick-off.

There were early half chances as Martin was just unable to provide Blackett with a tap-in and Blackett struck an effort against the legs of visiting goalkeeper Jack Harding.

The breakthrough was not long in coming, though, and arrived in the 10th minute.

John Lufudu proved to be a thorn in Banbury's side and he provided the opener, sending in a superb cross from the right which Mongoy headed into the top corner for his first goal of the season.

Mongoy almost made it a quickfire double, only for his goalbound effort to be blocked, but on 13 minutes the Mariners did stretch their lead.

The move which led to the goal again originated down the right and ended with a blistering strike from Blackett which arrowed into the roof of the net.

Blackett beat Harding again four minutes later, only for the offside flag to cut the celebrations short, while at the other end Craig Hewitt had a shot deflected over and Myles Boney held onto an effort from range by Tope Obadeyi.

Shields had a number of attempts from distance before carving out another clear opportunity when Lufudu squared for Blackett, who was denied by a point blank stop from Harding.

They added a third three minutes before half-time after streaking forward again, with Lirak Hasani playing in Martin, who picked out the top corner from just inside the area.

Blackett had a big chance to double his tally three minutes into stoppage time, but his strike from the right of the box cleared the crossbar.

Mongoy almost made it four early in the second half after Blackett won the ball from Harding and played it back to his fellow frontman, who found the side netting.

Blackett was then just unable to convert a glorious pass across the area by Mongoy, and a further chance came his way as he raced through the centre, only for a fine block to deny him.

Shields were comfortable throughout the remainder of the second half as they saw out their victory with ease.

Mongoy hit the post with a minute left but there was still time for James to have the final say, turning well in the area before rolling the ball into the bottom corner.

The Mariners will head into Tuesday's trip to Scunthorpe United full of confidence.

South Shields: Boney, Lufudu, Adams (c), Liddle, Broadbent, Briggs, Hasani, Clarke (Abbey 70), Blackett (Heaney 76), Mongoy, Martin (James 67). Subs not used: Morse, Smith.

Goals: Mongoy (10), Blackett (13), Martin (42), James (90).

Attendance: 2,028.

Image: Kev Wilson.