Sunderland loanee Oli Bainbridge shines in South Shields promotion push | OneFootball

Sunderland loanee Oli Bainbridge has emerged as a key figure in South Shields’ promotion push, capping a standout campaign with a goal in a 4-1 win over Merthyr Town.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Academy of Light graduate joined the Mariners in September and extended his loan in January to bolster Ian Watson’s squad for the run-in.

A switch to wing-backs gave Bainbridge licence to attack from the left and he repeatedly hurt Merthyr. On 17 minutes he took a pass from Sean McGurk and crossed low for Paul Blackett to open the scoring. Eight minutes later he fed McGurk, whose delivery was turned in by Blackett for 2-0.

Sonny Finch made it three before the interval, then Bainbridge headed in the forward’s cross to underline his display, his fifth goal of the season.

Assistant manager Carl Magnay felt it was Bainbridge’s best outing for Shields, praising his running power, defensive work and timing to arrive in the box. The full-back had also created in the previous home game, crossing for Dan Dodds to score in a 3-0 victory over Curzon Ashton.

Watson has highlighted Bainbridge’s athleticism as central to their attacking structure. With his Sunderland contract up this summer, there could be interest if the Premier League side choose to let him leave.

Source: Sunderland Echo