Wembley next port of call for Mariners as Shields cruise into Vase final
WEMBLEY-bound Lee Picton spoke of his pride in his South Shields players after the Mariners booked their place in the Buildbase FA Vase final.
Shields cruised past Coleshill Town 4-0 in Saturday’s semi-final second leg, in front of a record crowd of 3,464 at Mariners Park.
The Mariners’ 6-1 aggregate triumph ensured a place in the final on May 21, when they will take on Cleethorpes Town of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
Joint-manager Picton said: “I am absolutely proud of the whole team and the squad who have played their part in us getting to Wembley.
“Everyone at the club and all the supporters (who have been magnificent), will be delighted with the result and it will give the whole town a lift.
“What a fantastic occasion it will be when we go to Wembley and everyone will be looking forward to the big day.”
After failing to capitalise on earlier chances, Shields took a deserved lead on 45 minutes when Gavin Cogdon played the ball into Julio Arca, who volleyed the ball home to make it 1-0.
South Shields dominated again in the second half and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead when Gavin Cogdon found space and lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
The tie was over when Carl Finnigan forced home a cross from substitute Alex Nicholson to make it 3-0.
However, Shields then made it 4-0 on the day, and 6-1 on aggregate, when David Foley scored late on.
In the Ebac Northern League First Division, leaders North Shields won 2-0 at Bishop Auckland and are now 17 points clear at the top.
Dan Wilson and Ryan Carr scored the all-important goals for the highflying Robins.
Dunston UTS drew 1-1 with their neighbours Ashington, Dunston grabbing the lead on 35 minutes.
A tremendous shot from Thear drew a great save from Connor Grant, but Dale Burrell slotted the ball home.
Ashington equalised in the 77th minute when Wayne Buchanan headed home from a Lee McAndrew corner.
Morpeth Town remain fourth after they smashed relegation-threatened West Allotment Celtic 8-0.
Sean Taylor, Keith Graydon from the penalty spot and Ben Sayer’s superb effort from 25 yards saw them go 3-0 up.
Five goals in 16 second-half minutes completed the rout – a Michael Chilton hat-trick, plus strikes fromTaylor again and Mark Davison.
Newcastle Benfield had an emphatic 6-1 home win over Washington, taking an early lead after three minutes when Paul Brayson fired in direct from a freekick.
Brayson scored his second, then John Campbell made it 3-0 when his shot somehow went through the arms of Gladstone.
After 65 minutes, Scott McCarthy made it 4-0 and then Washington pulled a goal back through Alex White in the 74th minute.
It was 5-1 when Campbell scored from close range, and two minutes from the end, the rout was complete when substitute Matty Parker lobbed the keeper to make it 6-1.
Jarrow Roofing BCA’s excellent form continued when they smashed seven goals without reply past Penrith.