SHIELDS’ RESOLVE BROKEN BY POOLS
SOUTH SHIELDS were unable to claim a hat-trick of North East scalps in the FA Cup as Hartlepool came from behind to win at a packed Mariners Park.
Shields had seen off Darlington and York City in the previous two rounds and they deservedly led at the break through Carl Finnigan’s strike.
A rejuvenated Hartlepool, however, were ahead by the hour and were the better side in the second period as Shields’ cup dream came to an end courtesy of strikes from Devante Rodney and Nicky Deverdics.
The majority in a sell-out crowd of 2,887 shoe-horned into Mariners Park left disappointed, Shields’ joint-manager Lee Picton ruing a missed opportunity.
“We’re bitterly disappointed,” said Picton “It was a great opportunity, but ultimately it wasn’t one that we took today.
“I certainly believe that it could have gone either way. If we were two or three up at half-time it would have been a fair reflection of the first half.
“We paid the price for being poor in the first 15 minutes of the second half, it wasn't just the time we conceded the goals but our general levels were poor.”
FA Vase winners South Shields included five former Gateshead players in their starting eleven and they took the lead through one of them against the run of play 25 minutes in.
A short free-kick saw one former Heed favourite, Jon Shaw, launch a high ball into the box, Pools defender Scott Harrison slipping, Finnigan chesting the ball down to finish clinically.
Previously composed Pools now had the jitters, Shields unlucky not to increase their lead before the break.
Finnigan shot just over and Matty Pattison crashed a 20yard shot that rattled the bar on the stroke of half-time.
Pools changed their system for the second half – and it worked a treat.
Devante Rodney found he bottom corner with a composed finish and then Nicky Deverdics bent a superb 30yard free kick around the wall and into the corner.
In between the goals Pattison fluffed his lines when in on goal, Finnigan through one-on-one just past the hour only for Scott Loach to block.
“Their goal really came against the run of play – we
must have had about 70-80 per cent possession, “said Hartlepool manager Craig Harrison.
“I thought we played well and up until they scored the goal we controlled possession.
“We panicked a little bit when they got in front and they came in to it for the last 20 minutes of the first half but I’m really pleased for the lads because once again they’ve shown great character.
“Credit to them for their reaction because I had a go at half-time and in the end, I wouldn’t say it was comfortable but we’ve got the win.
“I know from TNS that when teams are used to winning it breeds an air of invincibility and you saw that when they scored because they really got their tails up but in the second half we controlled it.”