After securing a good point and clean sheet on the road at FC United in the week, the Dabbers will need to be on similar form this weekend as Kevin Phillips brings his South Shields side to South Cheshire.
The Beautiful South
South Shields have gone unbeaten in their first four games, but the last three have been draws. After beating Stalybridge on opening day, they have drawn 1-1 with Ashton, 2-2 with Marine, and 1-1 with Gainsborough. The last two of those have taken late equalisers just to secure a point, so the Dabbers will have to be aware that this is a team that never gives up.
Last Time Out
It was an action packed encounter in the North East in February. The Dabbers got into a 2-1 lead thanks to a Sean Cooke penalty and a wonderful individual goal from Jake Bickerstaff. But Shields responded in style, JJ Hooper having one of those dream games and netting all 4 in an eventual 4-2 win for the home side that day. Highlights of that one are available below:
Players to Watch
Hooper is still a South Shields player, but has not been in any of the first 4 matchday squads through injury. But with the resources that they have, they aren’t exactly short of options. The most eye-catching of their signings is in attack, with the experienced Lewis Alessandra coming in from League Two Carlisle. A long EFL career has seen him at clubs like Plymouth, Rochdale and Oldham. He’s yet to score for Shields but will be a danger.
Also look out for Michael Woods, another experienced recruit from higher in the pyramid who has 3 goals in 3 appearances from midfield so far.
Match Information
Tickets for this one at the Swansway Stadium are available here, or can be bought on the gate at the usual prices.