The Academy of Light product is impressing with the current National League North leaders.
South Shields manager Ian Watson believes on-loan Sunderland youngster Oli Bainbridge is benefitting from embracing everything he is trying to achieve with the National League North leaders.
The Mariners have been long-term admirers of the Academy of Light product and had to show their patient side as a number of potential loan moves to EFL clubs fell by the wayside last summer. Bainbridge eventually made a temporary switch to Sunderland’s non-league neighbours in September and helped his new side reach the first round proper of the FA Cup within weeks of his arrival before a home defeat against League Two club Shrewsbury Town ended their run in front of the TNT Sports cameras.
However, their cup exploits have only provided further motivation for Bainbridge and his team-mates in their bid for promotion into the National League and the Black Cats wing-back has been a regular part of a side that are now sitting nine points clear at the top of the National League North table with 17 games remaining. Bainbridge will see out the campaign at the 1st Cloud Arena after an extension to his initial loan deal was agreed last month and Mariners boss Watson is relishing the opportunity to continue working with the wing-back.
He said: “Oli has been brilliant for us since we have brought him in and he has had some unbelievable experiences with us. We were really patient with him during the summer as we tried to get him in but I was really determined to get him from the moment I saw him play. I went to watch him play against Burnley and as soon as I saw him I thought that is the left-sided player we need at the football club. He’s been really good for us, he’s a South Shields boy, he grew up just behind the training ground so all of the boxes were ticked to make him the guy we wanted. He had a lot of interest from higher up and for one reason or another it just didn’t work out so we waited as long as we could and managed to get it over the line. He’s been brilliant, he’s really embraced what we do and what we demand.”
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Oli Bainbridge celebrates after scoring in South Shields 2-2 draw at Marine (photo Kevin Wilson)placeholder image
Oli Bainbridge celebrates after scoring in South Shields 2-2 draw at Marine (photo Kevin Wilson) | Kevin Wilson
Bainbridge produced one of the most dramatic moments of his loan spell with the Mariners just over a week ago when he scored a spectacular late equaliser to earn a point at Marine. A last-minute goal from their hosts appeared to have condemned Watson’s side to a 2-1 defeat on Merseyside - but Bainbridge produced a moment of magic with 97 minutes on the clock by flicking the ball up inside a crowded area before sending an overhead kick beyond the Marine keeper to snatch a precious point for the Mariners. Watson described the goal as ‘really special’ and believes it shows just how far Bainbridge has come during his time at the club.
He said: “The best thing about the goal was that with seconds to go and chaos going on, he flicks the ball up for himself to have an overhead kick and you can’t teach those moments or recreate those moments in training. That is a player and person’s ability to remain calm and know the right thing to do in the moment. I was so happy for him because he’s an unbelievable guy and to get those moments is really special.”
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