HOOPER SAVIOUR
SOUTH Shields took the NPL Premier Division title race into the final week with a vital three points at Broadhurst Park.
The defining moment of the match came with a minute to go when, following a run from Cedric Main into the box, the ball broke to substitute JJ Hooper, who was on hand to snatch the win for the visitors.
“It was crucial that we got the win today, and we knew it was going to be a tough match and it proved to be,” said Mariners boss Kevin Phillips.
“Did we deserve the win? Probably not, but to win matches you have to win ugly sometimes and ride your luck and when you get your chance take it, and that’s exactly how we did it today.”
The game looked like it was heading for a goalless draw, despite the best efforts of FC United, who had the larger share of the chances during the game.
The Reds started the brighter of the two sides and were soon pressurising the South Shields defence.
The best of these chances in the first half fell to United striker Regan Linney on 39 minutes, an excellent solo dribble into the box, forced Myles Boney into a great save down to his left.
Shields produced a good chance of their own in first half added time, when right wing-back Jordan Hunter crossed the ball and found the head of left wing-back Blair Adams, a certain goal though was denied by a tremendous save from Dan Lavercombe.
Early into the second half, and FC United were very unlucky not to take the lead, when some brilliant work from Linney on 51 minutes, created a chance for Harry McGee, whose header hit the underside of the bar and stayed out.
Linney was soon setting up McGee again on 58 minutes, with the Wigan loanee just putting his opportunity narrowly wide of the goal.
While with ten minutes to go, FC sub Ali Waddecar produced an enterprising diving header which almost caught out Boney on his near post.
But Shields successfully soaked up all the pressure from their hosts, and substitute Hooper popped up right at the end to seal a crucial win which sees the Mariners draw level on points with Buxton at the top.