Leaders South Shields too good for Worksop Town
Worksop Town were beaten 3-0 as visiting National League North table-toppers South Shields showed their quality on Tuesday night.
It was a tough night for The Tigers, who slipped behind just before half-time after giving Shields a tough first half.
But they were no match for the promotion favourites after the break with the visitors easing to victory.
However, manager Craig Parry said: "The first thing is that we’ve come up against the best side in this league, they’re a good side, and we knew that.
“I’m disappointed because in the first half we tried to stick to a game plan and frustrate them and press them in certain areas, and then came a human error from a player who hasn't made many mistakes in my five years at the club.
“I can’t fault the desire, effort of the group. We just got beat by a completely better side, 1-11, and we have to move on.”
The Tigers started with high intensity, finding success exploiting the wide areas.
In the eighth minute Vaughan Redford forced a corner and the delivery was misjudged by South Shields goalkeeper Tom Watson, highlighting the early pressure.
The best opportunities fell around the 13th minute, where a superb free kick routine led to an inviting knockdown header, with the shot agonisingly straying wide from Aleks Starcenko.
Just past the half-hour mark, a quick counter attack involving Aleks Starcenko saw his finish saved, but moments later, the Tigers saw a shot cleared off the line after a fantastic passage of play.
In a truly brutal moment for the home support, South Shields snatched the lead against the run of play just before the break.
Lemar Gordon capitalised on a lapse of concentration when he intercepted a backpass aimed towards keeper Tommy Taylor, before colliding with him, leading to the opener.
The Mariners doubled their lead immediately after the break when Will Jenkins scored directly from a corner.
This was swiftly followed by a moment of misfortune when a defensive clearance from Deegan Atherton resulted in an own goal.
Despite the deficit, Worksop refused to give up, with Aaron Martin leading the fight.
In the 67th minute, he drove forward and executed a lovely chip over the keeper that narrowly shaved the post.
Substitutions in the 73rd minute did inject fresh energy and impact but the task was too great as the Tigers couldn’t get past a resolute Mariners defence.
Next up for Worksop is a trip to the Your Co-Op Community Stadium to face Leamington FC on Saturday.