South Shields scored four, in the first of two matches against Buxton in seven days, on Saturday.
The Mariners battled their way to a 4-0 victory in the Enterprise National League North, while the two sides will meet next week in the Emirates FA Cup at Buxton’s home ground.
A cagey opening spell saw the visitors threaten first, and Jasper Sheik pulled off a fantastic save to keep the score level and prevent Tony Weston from getting on the scoresheet.
It would be the hosts, however, who would take advantage after Finn Cousin-Dawson’s pass was intercepted by Paul Blackett, and Cedwyn Scott made the most of that fortuitous chance.
Shields defended resolutely following their opening goal, with Joe Emery impressing to deny former Mariner Ashton Mee inside the penalty area.
On the stroke of half time, Mike Williamson’s side doubled their lead – a delightful delivery into the box from Scott found Blackett, whose header just managed to get over the line.
Shields’ prolificacy continued after the restart and it would be Sean McGurk – with his final act before being substituted off to a standing ovation – who would make it three.
Scott played a lovely ball into Blackett on the hour mark, whose sliding shot was cleared at the final moment by Gui Siqueira, but McGurk was there to slam it home on the rebound.
Sheik made a great save at his near post as Johnny Johnston raced through on goal, making an instinctive move which preserved his clean sheet status.
Caden Kelly scored 10 minutes later: after nearly being dispossessed, he recovered wonderfully, cut inside and fired into the far corner – there was no stopping that.
Johnston aimed a cross late on, but there were no visiting players to get on the end of what could have been Buxton’s likeliest chance to get a consolation goal.
Shields saw out the win, a result which takes them to fourth place in the table on 20 points, with a game in hand over the early title contenders.
The Mariners travel to Brackley Town for their re-arranged league clash before renewing acquaintances with Buxton next Saturday in the FA Cup Third Round Qualifying.
South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Leshabela (Jordan 86’), Onanaye, Blackett (Clegg 74’), McGurk (Kelly 61’), Mann (Roles 46’), Scott (Crossley 79’), Campbell, Dodds, Emery.
Unused substitutes: Chibueze, Blaney.
Goals: Scott (24’), Blackett (43’), McGurk (60’), Kelly (70’).
Buxton: Stretch, Cousin-Dawson (Cooper 72’), Burton, Tuntulwana (Woltman 81’), Weston (Devonport 58’), Brockbank, Mee, Pescatore (Johnston 58’), Scales (Trueman 72’), Tipton, Siqueira.
Unused substitutes: Grist, Melville.
Attendance: 2,005.
Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19).