Shields ready for Spedding final after frenetic run of games

South Shields can look forward to the final of the First Division’s Alan Spedding Cup final tomorrow – after a hectic run of cup ties.

Shields will tackle secondtop Dormans at Wearmouth CW (10.30am).

They only played their quarter-final last Thursday, knocking out Consett 1-0 away, and played the semi-final on Monday night against table-toppers Whitley Bay Seahorse.

Shields upset the odds to force a 1-1 draw before edging through 8-7 in an epic penalty shoot-out.

After a very close first half, which Whitley edged in terms of possession and chances, Shields came into the game in the second period.

They created a few halfchances without really troubling the keeper. Then, just when Shields began to dominate, Seahorse made the breakthrough, midway through the second half, as Gary Harding struck an excellent goal from just inside the 18-yard box.

Shields responded to level five minutes later, following a scramble In the Whitley box, with the ball falling eventually at the feet of Chris Bailey, who swept the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Shields missed a good opportunity to win it in normal time as the tie ended 1-1. Extra time produced few chances, with both teams feeling the pace of the game.

In the shoot-out, Shields scored their first two, with Seahorse missing their first two.

But Shields then hit the woodwork with their next two and Bay levelled at 2-2. The teams swapped successful and missed penalties before Shields edged through 8-7.

Dormans had a straightforward 3-0 semi-final win over Hebburn Town.