The daddy of all goals boosts the Mariners
SOUTH SHIELDS 1 WARRINGTON 0
ROBERT Briggs rounded off a hectic week by coming off the bench to net the only goal of South Shields’ hardearned home win against Warrington Rylands.
The long-serving midfielder became a dad for the first time midweek and marked his return to onfield duties by sparking further celebrations with a stunning late goal that boosted the Mariners’ hopes of promotion into the National League North.
Both sides made a positive start but it was the visitors that provided the most consistent threat.
The lively Callum Dolan was a nuisance for the Mariners defence and he forced keeper Myles Boney into the first save of the game as he collected a volley at the far post.
Dolan was soon back into the action as he curled a shot narrowly wide just minutes later before going head-to-head with Boney once again as the hosts number one smothered a shot around his far post.
Frustration was growing from the home faithful as their side wasted possession in threatening areas and were also guilty of surrendering it needlessly inside their own half. Although they failed to improve on either shortfall throughout the remainder of the opening 45 minutes, they did manage to create some sights of goal.
A first real chance came on 37 minutes when Dylan Mottley-henry cut in on his left and brought a comfortable save out of visitors keeper Joel Torrance before Martin Smith brought concern out of the stopper with a
45-yard lob that sailed beyond his near post. But Rylands replicated their impressive start to the game during the final moments of the first-half and came close to taking what would have been a deserved lead into the interval.
It was no surprise to see Dolan continuing his impressive performance by manoeuvring into space on the right-hand side of the Mariners area before sending a stinging drive towards Boney’s near post.
The small band of travelling support looked all set to celebrated the game’s opening goal – but their celebrations were put on hold as Boney produced a stunning fingertip save to ensure the game remained goalless as the half-time whistle was blown.
Mariners manager Phillips looked to his bench for inspiration at halftime as he introduced Briggs at the expense of Russ.
There was certainly more control about the Mariners in the middle of the park but neither side managed to threaten throughout what was an increasingly disjointed second-half.
A breakthrough finally arrived with seven minutes remaining and it came thanks to half-time substitute Briggs, who fired home a goal that ultimately handed the points to the hosts.
A patient build-up from the Mariners looked to have fizzled out on the edge of the area but the determination of Mottley-henry saw him find some space before sending a ball into the visitors area.
That somehow found its way to Briggs and he angled a stunning finish into the top right-hand corner of Torrance’s net. Job done – eventually.