Shield showed quality - Powell

SKELMERSDALE United boss Dave Powell praised his side’s first-half showing at top-of-the-table South Shields, but admitted the runaway leaders proved their qualities.

Skem fell behind early on but a Mike Roddy pen pulled the visitors level. South Shields came back strongly, however, and consigned Powell’s side to their eighth loss in 12 games, a streak that they have remained winless upon.

The experienced boss, however, was looking at the positives.

“I thought first-half we were excellent,” said Powell. “We were disappointed with the first goal and thought we could have defended it better but a deflection took it over Callum and there was nothing he could do about it.

“It says something when their manager doesn’t want to talk about their first-half performance and I think that says something about how well we played in the first half.”

There was also a recognisable face lining up for South Shields. Julio Arca, who made more than 300 appearances for Sunderland and Middlesbrough, most of those in the Premier League.

And Powell says there was a concerted plan to stop him, with Phil Mooney playing as an auxiliary midfielder.

“[Arca is a] very experienced, very high quality player in their holding midfield position and I thought we could tactically stop him playing, which we did successfully first half.

“We put Phil on to look after him but he also did a lot of positive things for the team. He won headers, intercepted through balls and did a great job for us.”

Powell added: “If we’d have made it 3-2 it might have been an interesting last ten minutes but it wasn’t to be.

“South Shields upped it from half time, showed why they’re top of the league and we look forward to playing them in a few months time.”

Skem travel to Scarborough on Saturday.