Shields hope for bumper home crowd

South Shields boss Graham Fenton has called on the Mariners fans to help roar them on to FA Cup glory.

Shields host former Football League side Stockport County at Mariners Park tomorrow in a tasty second qualifying round tie.

It is the latest big game to grace the ground in recent years. Shields were backed by crowds of around 3,000 for their FA Vase quarterfinals and semi-finals last year, as well as similar size attendances for their big FA Cup clashes with York City and Hartlepool United.

With Stockport set to bring a few hundred fans of their own tomorrow, Shields are hoping the South Tyneside public turn out in force again to see if the Evo-Stik Premier leaders can upset the National League North big boys.

“It should be a big game,” said joint manager Fenton. “A couple of games lately, the atmosphere has been fantastic and people coming here have been enjoying the football the lads have been playing.

“We are certainly going to need the supporters on Saturday but equally, we have to give them something to start shouting about, and hopefully they will react to that and get a really good atmosphere going.

“You always need a good start when you are playing against higher opposition. We need a pretty quick start to settle the lads into the game and give them the confidence that they are more than capable of winning this game, though this set of players have that confidence anyhow.

“It’s easier in a game of football though if you get off to a good start.

“Stockport are a fantastically well-supported club and we look forward to welcoming them.

“It should be a cracking game of football.”

Shields have so far sold around 1,200 tickets to home fans, with more expected over the next 24 hours. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for students and over-65s, and £3 for under16s.

Elsewhere in the FA Cup, Consett face a tough game at home to Warrington Town, who sit just behind Shields in second place in the Evo-Stik Premier.

Other Northern League sides include Dunston UTS, at home to Irlam, while Whitley Bay face a tricky away tie at Altrincham.