TOWN ARE BEWITCHED BY BLAIR HAT-TRICK
SOUTH Shields progressed to the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round with a commanding victory over Garforth Town.
Goals from Gavin Cogdon and Matty Pattison, either side of left-back Blair Adams’ hat-trick, secured an emphatic win despite a late consolation from Curtly Martin-Wyatt.
The Mariners’ jointmanager Lee Picton was delighted to progress to the next round, saying: “One of the highlights of our season last year was the FA Cup run that we went on.
“We felt it gave us a lot of momentum and belief and that stretched across the whole season, as well as the financial rewards. The prize money this year has gone up again which is a great thing for Non-League clubs.
“We have ultimate belief in the players in the dressing room here at this football club, and if we get things right we can be more than a match for any side at Non-League level.
“We’re now three wins on the spin and it just keeps confidence levels high going into next Tuesday’s game.”
The hosts made their first-half pressure count
and took the lead 36 minutes in when Josh Gillies’ reverse pass allowed Cogdon to finish one-onone with Garforth goalkeeper Toby Wells.
A quickfire double from Adams followed as the defender rifled a 25-yard strike into the top-left corner, before making it 3-1 minute later with a close-range finish after being fed through by Gillies.
Adams completed his surprise hat-trick instantly after half-time linking up with Gillies once again before firing low. He then turned creator just after the hour mark as Pattison converted his backpost cross to add a fifth.
The Miners netted a consolation 77 minutes in as Martin-Wyatt flicked home amidst confusion from Niah Payne’s corner.
But the Mariners could have won by more with Wells on top form throughout while Gillies and the re-signed David Foley both struck the woodwork.
Garforth boss Rob Hunter bestowed high praise upon the Mariners after his side’s heavy defeat, saying: “They’re probably the best team that I’ve ever seen at this stage of the FA Cup.
“I think there will be better teams than us that come here and get done more than 5-1.
“Good luck to South Shields because they’re very good at what they do.
“They’re a good team who play football the right way.”