Paul “Blacky” Blackett. That’s really all you need to know about Shields. After Stewart of Leamington, we come across the Division’s other leading scorer just three days later. Being full time and on a generous long-term contract, the North East club have an excellent chance of retaining the centre forwards’ service. Which is handy as Blackett has scored 14 goals plus 4 assists in his 20 appearances. Doubly important to Shields as they have no other specialist central striker in their squad. Next highest scorer is wide man Kyle Crossly with 5 goals. The Mariners can be excitable, with 4 red cards already issued.
Our hosts are quite strong at home with a 7-3-3 record. They’ve had some very strange results early this season although recently they’ve collected 13 points of 18 points at home. Also noteworthy are their 26 home goals, the highest in the division. Scoring 7 past ten-man Rushall after Nathan Cameron was sent off again really helps. Shields are the League’s top scorers but because of their previous slip-ups (losing 3-0 to Needham Market and 0-1 to Radcliffe took a bit of explaining) and the regular leaking of goals, the north-east club are strictly mid-table and attendances are down. They are the only NLN full-time club not to be in the top five. Not an ideal situation when the club owner/sole director has tried to sell the club since October 2023. There’s been no updates for many months. I have an impression, maybe an incorrect one, that costs have been cut this term, possibly to make the club more sellable.
This is only the fourth games between the clubs. The corresponding match early last season saw a rare parking the bus by Caddis’s men who ground out a goalless draw. At the Street, both home and away clubs have each won 3-0. The Mariners boss, the splendidly named Mr Dickman, admitted that “we have got this terrible habit of when we concede one, we concede another one quite quickly afterwards.” That’s very generous. After two straight defeats for the Bulls, anxiety is increasing so such generosity is much needed. I assume Ryan Bartley has left which reduces our defensive options and all round we need something to lift the gloom.
The Mariners have a very welcoming and friendly stadium with bars on every side (as in alcohol, not prisons). Segregation is simply not necessary. Just the getting back which is so tedious Tickets in advance are £16/£10 for terrace (£2 extra all round to sit). Pay on the day is possible. There’s every indication that travelling support will be tiny.
If you’re not making the long trip to the north-east join Ian Sandford for full match commentary on Radio Hereford FC alongside Ruth Walkden on MatchDay Live.
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Simon Wright
