Match Preview by Leon Higgins.

Last Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup win over Hebburn Town meant it has been an unbeaten September so far going into a very tricky last league game of the month.

Seven points in the last five games, sees Mark Bradshaw’s team 14th in the league table after eight games.

The visitors come into this top of the table and the only unbeaten side in the division. The only defeat the Mariners have suffered so far this season was last week with a 6-1 loss in the Durham County Cup to Durham United.

Last time out South Shields beat Guiseley 2-1 in the FA Cup and in their last three league fixtures there have been two draws against Southport (0-0) and Buxton (2-2) with a 3-0 win over Radcliffe in between.

The impressive start to the season in August saw manager Ian Watson named National League North manager of the month. Unsurprisingly The Mariners have had at least one player in all but two teams of the week with, Dillion Morse (GW1), Dan Dodds (GW2), Will Jenkins and goalkeeper Jasper Sheik (GW3), Paul Blackett (GW4), Robbie Tinkler (GW5) and Caden Kelly (GW7).

Head to Head:

In the 4 meetings between the sides in the National League North, there has been one draw with three victories for Curzon including last time out with The Nash winning 3-0 in December of last year.

Curzon Ashton:

• The Nash have failed to lose after taking the league so far this season.
• Only Fylde (11), Chorley (10), South Shields (9) and Kings Lynn (8) have scored more normal time second half goals than Curzon’s (7)
• Curzon have had 8 different goal scorers this season with only Radcliffe, Chorley and Oxford City (9) having more.

South Shields:

• Only National League side Hartlepool kept more clean sheets in the National League pyramid in August than The Mariners.
• Jasper Sheik has the most clean sheets in the league with 6.
• Cedwyn Scott has scored 3 goals away from home this season with only Flyde’s Danny Ormerod (5), Merthyr’s Ricardo Rees and Fylde’s Danny Mayor (4) scoring more.
• South Shields are the only team not to lose from when trailing while also have failed to lose from a winning position.

Management Preview:

Assistant Head Coach Jack Salkeld gave his thought’s ahead of the last league game of the month.

Obviously they’ve started really well, they’ve always been a great football club and they’ve got new managers who are doing really well.

We will treasure the task and have a gameplay of how to compete against them. A full week of training as well, hopefully we’ll have some more bodies back as well which is really good to see, so, a week of training, work on South Shields, and let’s look forward to it.

Happy Hour:

Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s fixture the Nash Bar within the stadium will be open from twelve o’clock and will be holding a ‘happy hour’ between 12-2pm with all pints of lager and cider available for £4.

Following the game The Harry Twamley suite will be open, with another ‘Happy Hour’ between 5-7pm.

All fans welcome!

Match Information: