Sunderland loanee Oli Bainbridge shines in South Shields title chase | OneFootball

On-loan Sunderland full-back Oli Bainbridge is enjoying a strong season with South Shields, capped by a leading display in their 4-1 win over Merthyr Town. The left-back also scored his fifth goal of the campaign in that game.

According to Sunderland Echo, Bainbridge joined the Mariners in September and extended his loan in January to remain part of Ian Watson’s title-chasing squad.

After 17 minutes he took a pass from Sean McGurk, then drove a low cross for Paul Blackett to convert. Eight minutes later he released McGurk first time, and Blackett finished the resulting cross for 2-0. Sonny Finch added a third before the break, and Bainbridge later headed in to round off his performance.

Assistant manager Carl Magnay felt it was Bainbridge’s best outing in a Shields shirt, noting a switch to wing-backs that paired him with Dan Dodds. Magnay praised Bainbridge’s engine, attacking thrust and defensive work in the role.

He has impressed across the campaign, including the previous home match against Curzon Ashton, when he created the third in a 3-0 win with a cross for Dodds. Manager Ian Watson has described Bainbridge as really important to their approach, citing his athleticism and desire to run beyond that helps structure attacking moments.

With his Sunderland contract up this summer, there could be interest from elsewhere if the Premier League club decide to let him leave.

Source: Sunderland Echo