Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — South Shields 2nd with 95 points, Buxton 5th with 73, 22 apart. South Shields ranked just 10th in the league on five-round form despite their 2nd table position.
three consecutive wins preceded this game for Buxton, having scored in 15 consecutive games. Over the last five, South Shields had taken 7 of 15 points to Buxton's 13.
Across 7 recorded meetings, South Shields have 4 wins to Buxton's 1, with 2 draws, at 2.43 goals per meeting. Low-scoring is the pattern: just 29% of the meetings went over two goals.
Goal scorers
South Shields: Paul Blackett (41')
Key stats
Possession: South Shields 49% · Buxton 51% · Total shots: 9-6 · On target: 3-2 · Corners: 3-1