ROBERT Briggs scored either side of halftime as South Shields took their chances in a closely fought contest with Atherton Collieries.

SOUTH SHIELDS 3 ATHERTON COLLIERIES 1
By Joseph Gibbons

REID IT AND WEEP: Atherton keeper Adam Reid can only watch as the ball hits the back of the net for South Shields’ second goal and inset, the Shields celebrate
PICTURE: ShutterPress

In a scrappy first half, it was the home side who drew first blood when a speculative effort from Briggs beat the Atherton goalkeeper with a cross-shot from the wing.
The advantage remained with Shields going into t...