Sunderland youngster Oli Bainbridge is seizing his opportunity at in form South Shields, with the on loan wing back playing a pivotal role in the Mariners’ charge towards the National League.
The Academy of Light product, who saw several potential EFL moves collapse last summer, finally secured a temporary switch to the non league neighbours in September and hasn’t looked back. He quickly helped the club on a memorable FA Cup run to the first round proper, and has since become a regular fixture for a side now sitting nine points clear at the top of the National League North table.
His loan was extended last month, a decision manager Ian Watson calls a no brainer. “Oli has been brilliant for us since we brought him in,” Watson stated. “I was really determined to get him from the moment I saw him play. He’s been really good for us, he’s a South Shields boy… he’s really embraced what we do and what we demand.”
Bainbridge’s impact was perfectly illustrated just over a week ago with a moment of pure drama. Trailing 2-1 at Marine in the 97th minute, the 20 year old conjured a stunning overhead kick to snatch a vital point, a goal his manager described as “really special.”
“That is a player and person’s ability to remain calm and know the right thing to do in the moment,” Watson said. “You can’t teach those moments.”
For Bainbridge, the loan is providing the regular senior football and big match experience that eluded him at Sunderland. For South Shields, he’s been the perfect fit: a local lad with the quality and temperament to thrive in a high pressure promotion push. With 17 games left, his development could culminate in a league winner’s medal, a scenario that would benefit both player and parent club immensely.
