South Shields completed a second-half comeback to win their first home game of the Enterprise National League North season against Chorley on Saturday.
The visitors took an unexpected lead in the third minute, after the referee judged there to be enough contact from Dillon Morse on Elliot Taylor to have a penalty be awarded – Jake Hazelhurst converted his spot-kick to send Chorley ahead.
Mike Williamson’s side insisted on finding an equaliser, which wouldn’t come until the 76th minute when Adam Campbell fired a stunning volley from just inside the 18-yard box.
Nine minutes later, Paul Blackett netted his first goal of the competitive season to send the Mariners fans at Wolf Competitions Stadium wild, as they held out to maintain their perfect start.
Sonny Finch offered Shields their first chance of the game, shortly after Chorley’s opener, when he directed his cross from the right side into the penalty area, but Li-Bau Stowell got a hold to it.
Blackett was sent through on goal soon after, but the goalkeeper made enough contact to deny the prolific forward from simply rounding him and scoring into an empty net.
Chorley were determined to keep their lead intact, and in fact nearly went two goals ahead following Hazlehurst’s 37th-minute free-kick; Max Hunt leapt highest and the ball found Taylor near the goalmouth.
In a one-on-one battle with Shields shot-stopper Jasper Sheik, the Mariners man won.
Sean McGurk was brought on at the break to try and change the game, and he made an immediate impact – his delivery within a minute of the restart forced Stowell into a diving save.
A similar delivery soon after had the same outcome: danger, but it didn’t result in a goal.
Shields’ persistence would eventually pay off and Campbell stunned supporters with his equaliser, before Blackett got in on the act with five minutes to go.
It was a deserved comeback for the Mariners, who have now won both of their league games.
Up next, the lads travel to face Morecambe on Tuesday, 18th August.
South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Marshall (Ashford 84’), Sykes, Morse, Leshabela (Roles 71’), Finch (Chibueze 90’), Blackett, Scott, Kelly (McGurk 46’), Campbell (Onanaye 84’).
Unused substitutes: Crossley, Savage.
Goals: Campbell (76’), Blackett (85’).
Chorley: Stowell, Henley (Ellis 90’), Smith, Hunt, Calveley, Clarke (Popoola 90’), Rowe (Whitehouse 85’), Bird, Hazlehurst (Bala 65’), Taylor (Salmon 75’), Fielding.
Unused substitutes: Blakeman, Moore.
Goals: Hazlehurst (3’).
Attendance: 1,732.
Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19).