Mariners hope to build on Benfield showing
SOUTH Shields boss Gary Steadman has revealed his confidence in picking up his side's first league points of the season when they visit Ashington tonight.
The Mariners lost 2-0 to Northern League champions Benfield at the weekend, but played well enough to suggest a change in fortunes is just around the corner.
Captain Lee Paul Scroggins is still suspended, but Tony Coe and Jonny Wightman return tonight, though there are fitness doubts over Chris Feasey and Richie Paxton.
Steadman expects a tough game against fifth-placed Shields tonight, but said: "I've got my team back now, bar Scroggins, so I'm a lot happier.
"I can go into games a lot more confident now I've got my key players back.
"It's always hard when you haven't got the biggest squad, and we've had a bad run of players not being available lately."
Shields were in good form at the weekend, pressing Benfield back for long stages, without being able to apply that killer touch.
A debatable penalty at the other end didn't help their cause, but Steadman is hopeful of replicating the good parts of their performance up at Ashington tonight.
The Mariners have lost all five league games in 2010 to slip down the table from the heady heights of third before Christmas.
Steadman added: "We had most of the play against Benfield, but maybe the final ball just let us down at times.
"A dodgy penalty and a fluke goal cost us as well in the end.
"But if we play like I know we can do up at Ashington tonight, we'll do well."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Jarrow
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
