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. In league terms the two rates read 2.15/0.93 for South Shields and 1.8/1.33 for Buxton (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.53.
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.
The match was played at Mariners Park (capacity 2,500). On the scoreboard, South Shields led 1-0 at the break, and no goals arrived after the restart: 1-0 the final score.
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