NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
INTERIM manager Elliott Dickman praised his South Shields players as they burst back into the play-off places with a goal-laden home win against relegated Bishop’s Stortford.
The Mariners roared out of the blocks and took a three-goal lead by the midway point of the firsthalf, thanks to goals from Robert Briggs, Dylan Stephenson and top goalscorer Paul Blackett.
Former Gateshead and Spennymoor Town forward Blackett went on to complete a deadly hat-trick in the secondhalf and Stephenson’s second of the day and a Martin goal rounded off a stunning 7-0 victory from Elliott Dickman’s side.
After the game, Dickman told Mariners TV: “The team were exceptional today, regardless of who were up against and what position they are in the league.
“You’ve got to go out and earn the right - and I thought from the very first whistle to the very last whistle, the team, the players, were exceptional and some of our football was really good.
“There was an energy about how we play, when we didn’t have the ball we worked hard to get the ball back, the lads that started were terrific, the lads that came on showed a real energy and that they’re part of the group.”
Blyth Spartans face a nervy final week of the season as their 2-1 home defeat against fellow strugglers Rushall Olympic means only goal difference keeps them out of the relegation zone.
Goals from Owen Oseni and Ronan Maher put the Pics in firm control at Croft Park and they held on for the win despite Luke James reducing the arrears ten minutes into the second-half.
Spartans now face two difficult tests as they visit Scunthorpe United next Saturday before closing their season with a home game against Brackley Town.
Spennymoor Town’s play-off hopes were dealt a slight blow by an away draw against Scarborough Athletic.
Fin Barnes put the Seadogs in front in the first-half but a second-half equaliser from Will Harris ensured the Moors claimed a share of the spoils to remain three points adrift of the play-off spots.
Darlington’s chances of retaining their step two status were given a boost by a home win against Southport.
The Quakers did all of the hard work in the opening ten minutes as Matty Cornish and Cedric Main both found the net to give their side a win that keeps them two points clear of the drop zone.