SOUTH SHIELDS 2 NORTHALLERTON TOWN 6
By Ricky Butler at Peterlee Newtown
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| Town, in orange, prepare for kick off at South Shields last night |
TOWN'S bid to reach a third consecutive Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup final gathered pace at Peterlee on Wednesday evening as they swept aside South Shields to move into the quarter finals.
On a freezing cold night on the banks of the North Sea it was the performances of the Town debutants that really warmed the hearts.
Striker Richie Playforth, signed from Redcar Athletic at the weekend, capped a fine display with a late goal, while Academy graduate Dan Baxter struck twice in three minutes after coming off the bench. Meanwhile defender Mark Hemingway and goalkeeper Jordan Aspinall also impressed on their first starts for the first team.
"I just can't make football out sometimes," said Town boss Peter Mulcaster at the whistle. "We came here with a greatly depleted squad and we come out 6-2 winners. We rode a little bit of luck at times but I am pleased for the lads.
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"Dan (Baxter) only got the call this afternoon as players were pulling out and he had a slight hamstring injury. But we asked if he could do 20 minutes and we could not have asked for much more from him."
A much-changed Town side had begun the night well with an early goal from Dale Elgie, but while Ben Riding soon had the Mariners level, Colin Anderson and Grant Hickman saw Town lead 3-1 at the interval.
Riding added another midway through the second half which threatened a Shields comeback, but it was the introduction of Baxter, replacing his brother Mikey Stevens 11 minutes from time, that sealed Town's progress. The substitute scored with his first touch after coming on and then, incredibly, scored again with his second, before Playforth completed the scoring in the final minute.
Mulcaster was forced to make several changes to the side which had battled back for a draw against Willington on Saturday as Danny Shoulder, Stephen Banks and Gav Parkin were all unavailable. With Freddie Huscroft and James Howlett also unable to make the trip, Town were down to the bare bones and Mulcaster drafted six Academy players into the squad.
Hemingway was called up to partner skipper-for-the-night Hickman in the heart of the defence, with Christian Holliday returning at left back and Andrew Porritt on right. Stevens started on the left side of midfield, Darren Kokes partnered Elgie in the centre, with Playforth joining Danny McLachlan in attack.
The big news however, saw Academy goalkeeper Aspinall called up to replace the rested Alex Kell in goal, and the Welshman was soon in the thick of the action with a great save to deny Shields full back Kyle Houshby after just four minutes.
But it was Town that opened the scoring three minutes later. A corner from the right by Kokes found the head of Playforth at the far post and when Mariners' goalkeeper Jak Wells could only push the ball out, Elgie was on hand to knock it home from close range.
The biggest threat posed by the hosts was clearly the long throws of Colin White and it was no real surprise that one such missile produced the equaliser 10 minutes later - Riding profiting with a fine header from 10 yards.
But Town were back in front just 45 seconds later. Playforth, who was already showing what a very great addition to the squad he will be, sent Stevens clear down the left and when his shot was saved by Wells, Anderson followed up to tuck away the rebound - his 11th goal of the season.
And it was 3-1 moments later. Again it was corner by Kokes, from the left this time, that created the opportunity and Hickman, as he has done so often this season, rose highest to power home a header that brushed the underside of the crossbar on its way in.
The second half began with a series of long throws and corners from Shields but Town defended well, with Hemingway in particular looking assured in an unfamiliar position. But it was very much game on just past the hour when Riding headed home his second from a left wing corner by Cameron Foster, despite Aspinall claiming he had been fouled.
But Mulcaster held all the aces and it was the introduction of Baxter in the 79th minute for his debut that finally sealed Town's place in the last eight. The striker had only just entered the field when fellow substitute Graham Caygill was denied by Wells and Baxter drilled home the rebound with the confidence of a man who has scored over 20 times this season in the Teesside League.
If that was good, then even better was to follow. Just two minutes later Playforth broke down the left and his low cross found Baxter who chipped past Wells with his right foot before firing into the empty net with his left.
The striker should then have completed an incredible hat-trick with his next touch, but when he failed to find the target from close range the ball fell to Playforth 15 yards out who got the goal his all-round performance deserved to make the final score 6-2.
"I'm pleased as it keeps out interest in the cup going and we'll have a go at it and see who it brings up," said Mulcaster.
"But we have a massive, difficult match this weekend so we'll have to see who is fit, willing and wounded. Seaham are a very good side and will be wanting to get one over on us after last time."
After the performance of the debutants here however, Town can travel full of confidence.
SOUTH SHIELDS - Wells, Houshby, Turnbull, White, Fraser, Olebode, Richardson, Riding, Ramsey, Logan, Foster. SUBS - McLean, Feasey, Crutwell, Locke.
TOWN - Aspinall, Porritt, Holliday, Hickman, Hemingway, Kokes, Anderson, Elgie, Playforth, McLachlan, Stevens. SUBS - Colman, Baxter, Caygill.
REFEREE - W. Finnie
ATTENDANCE: ??
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