Raffel reacts to SSFC Women’s “tough” FA Cup exit

Saturday sees Ian Watson’s Mariners take the trip to North Manchester as they prepare to clash heads with Bernard Morley’s Radcliffe FC.

The weekend fixture sees both sides come into the tie looking to get back to winning ways as the Mariners fell to defeat against Darlington, while the hosts fell to a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Enterprise National League North leaders, AFC Fylde.

The Mariners, despite their recent outing, hold a mental advantage over Morley’s side as the reverse fixture saw Watson’s men dominate in what turned out to be a comfortable 3-0 triumph for the men from South Tyneside.

Morley’s Radcliffe come into the game looking to gain their first win since late February, when they triumphed in a 2-1 home win against Peterborough Sports. Since then, Morley’s side have picked up just two points from a maximum of 27.

Watson’s Mariners, on the other hand, come into the clash looking to catch league leaders AFC Fylde. If the visitors are to gain the three points in North Manchester, their source to victory could come through their superstar striker Paul Blackett.

One to watch

Blackett failed to score in the Mariners last outing; however, he had scored in each of the Mariners three previous fixtures, including a brace against Merthyr Town. Watson will then be hoping his centre-forward can fire once more and earn his side a victory on Saturday.

One to watch from the hosts’ eleven – and a potential path to victory for Radcliffe could be through their top scorer Rio Clegg. Clegg netted in the host’s previous frantic seven-goal thriller with AFC Fylde. The forward also will be looking for his 25th league goal of the season.

Highlights from South Shields’ latest fixture can be viewed below.