STEP BY STEP

Hit-man Carl bags points for Shields

Extensive round-up of all the action from around the grounds from Steps 3-6

GRAHAM Fenton believes South Shields will improve after they scrapped to victory over Witton Albion.

Fenton’s side had to battle and scrap but they took all three points in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division opener thanks to brace from Carl Finnigan.

“We will get better but today was all about getting ourselves something to build on ahead of a tough game at Farsley Celtic in midweek,” explained the Mariners joint-manager.

“We got a win and we knew we would have to battle for it, that’s what we told the lads heading into the game.

“Witton were defensive and they set up to contain us, that’s something we have become us to and the fact we got a win is something that will stand us in good stead.”

The opening-stages at Mariners Park were littered with misplaced passes and players surrendering possession too easily as both sides eased their way into the season.

There were chances, albeit half-chances. Josh Gillies went close for the hosts, James Foley whistled a long-range effort narrowly beyond the farpost for the Albion.

A long ball into the Albion area looked as if it was rolling out of play but Robert Briggs managed to hook it back across goal and that allowed Finnigan to slide the ball into the far corner of the net.

The lead lasted just two minutes into the second-half as James Foley got the visitors back on level-terms from the penalty-spot.

Foley stepped up to take the spot-kick after being fouled by Connell and his effort crept past the Mariners keeper as he dived low to his left-hand side.

It looked as if he had secured a point for his side.

That was until four minutes from time when Finnigan popped up to head home the winning goal.

Gillies refused to give up a lost cause on the left and dinked a cross into the six- yard box that was met by Finnigan and his downward header went beyond Hall and into the net.

The visitors complained that Gillies had fouled James Yates before crossing, they had just cause to complain but it fell on deaf ears.

Maybe that played a part in Billy Smart’s dismissal as his frustration got the better of him and he reacted badly during an altercation with Finnigan.

He was dismissed by referee Stephen Dial and that brought the curtain down on Albion’s chances of returning to Cheshire with anything for their efforts.

Finnigan’s brace had ensured that his side started life at step three with a win, to the delight of most of the hardy souls in Mariners Park.