Phillips to make changes as Shields prepare for play-off
South Shields bring their league fixture programme to an end on Saturday when they travel to Grantham Town.
Barring an extremely unlikelysetofcircumstances,the Mariners will finish second in the Northern Premier League and take part in a home playoff semi-final on Tuesday.
Before that, they take on relegated Grantham as they aimtogeneratesomemomentumaheadofapivotalmeeting with Warrington Town, Scarborough Athletic, Matlock Town or Bamber Bridge.
Team selection will be a delicatecallformanagerKevin Phillips, who has confirmed he will make changes at South Kesteven Sports Stadium.
He said: “I’ve got decisions to make, because Tuesday is obviouslythemostimportant thing and we have to make sure everyone is fully fit and ready to go for that.
“There will definitely be changes but no matter who plays, it’s about trying to build confidence and get back to winning ways ahead of a highpressure match. That’s what play-off games are like, and you’ve got to deal with it mentally and physically.
“Physically we’ll be fine, and it’s down to the players nowtodigdeepintotheirown bodyandtheirownmind,and get themselves prepared for it.”
Grantham’srelegationwas confirmedearlierthismonth,
but the Gingerbreads have picked up four points from their last two games to demonstrate their character.
Shields’ title hopes – barring a 12-goal swing on Saturday – were ended by a 3-2 loss at home to Whitby Town on Monday,afterwhichtheteam
showedtheirappreciationfor thesupporttheyhavereceived all season.
Now it is time for one final push, with the Mariners hoping to emerge from Tuesday’s semi-final to take their place in the play-off final on Monday, May 2.
Phillips added: “The fans have been magnificent throughout the season and it was such a shame we couldn’t send them home happy last week. I urge them to turn up in their droves on Tuesday, which I’m sure they will.”
Shields remain without midfielder Callum Ross heading into Saturday’s 3pm kickoff.
Ticket details for the playoffs, meanwhile, have not yet been confirmed while uncertainty remains over the identity of Shields’ semi-final opponents.