Author: abyte

Shildon 0-1 Stranraer

Shildon unveiled their new home kit against Stranraer on Friday night in their third pre-season friendly of the new campaign.  It was also their first match of the new season back at Dean Street and although they fell to a single goal two minutes from time, the Railwaymen can be hugely satisfied at matching the Scottish League One side for almost the entire game.

Indeed, the better chances were created by Shildon before the visitors took the lead. Lewis Graham produced an excellent save, stopping a driven shot low to his left side in the early moments of the game before ‘Bobby’ Moore poleaxed a Stranraer defender with a rocket from 25 yards.

After an even first half, Paul Connor could have opened the scoring at the beginning of the second, holding off a number of defenders superbly before skewing his show narrowly wide of the far post from a tight angle.

It was a game of few real chances as both sides cancelled each other out in a competitive midfield battle with the deadlock not being broken until two minutes from time. A well worked move set the Stranraer manager’s brother, Chris Aitken away and he made no mistake, stroking the ball past the onrushing Lewis Graham from the edge of the box.

As Shildon pressed forward in search of a last gasp equaliser, it was instead Lewis Graham who produced another wonder save at the other end as the visitors broke away to prevent an even more unfair scoreline.

Stranraer manager, Stephen Aitken was very complimentary of the Railwaymen’s performance, acknowledging that the side had improved and strengthened since the two met each other during last pre-season.

And certainly the lads can take plenty of confidence from their performances so far in pre-season and will not have had that dented last night, even if a draw would have been a fairer result.

Shildon team: Graham, Richardson, Harwood, Atkin, Craddock, Hudson (Hodgson), Moore, Rundle, Wood, Ruddy, Connor (Garvie).

Railwaymen trek from Britain’s highest pub

You have to be either crazy or a Shildon fan to be setting off from Britain’s highest pub at 10am on a Sunday morning to walk 8 miles across country to Bowes.

In this case our intrepid adventurers are indeed Shildon fans: Norman Smith (also a club director), Wilf Tray, Amanda Scaife and Tom Clegg all set off this morning on a reconnaissance mission to check out the way to Bowes in preparation for their real trek – a sponsored walk in the August Bank Holiday from Tan Hill Inn – Great Britain’s highest pub – all the way back to Dean Street; just a small matter of 28 miles!

The four will make the walk to raise funds for the football club and for each of their chosen charities. (Today’s walk was a freebie!)

Two more will be joining the walk in August and we will bring you information about them in a later update.

Look out too for more details of the sponsored walk and how you can sponsor the walkers in the local press and here on our website in the coming days and weeks.

As for today, we can report that the adventurers made it safely to Bowes and are now all back home enjoying a well earned Sunday dinner!

Tow Law 2-5 Shildon

The close season officially ended today for the Railwaymen and their hosts, Tow Law Town, and for Shildon the new season began with a five star display at the Ironworks. 

Shildon dominated possession and took a two goal first half lead before some lax defending allowed the Lawyers back into the game with two cheap replies.

But the Railwaymen got back on track and scored three more without reply to open their 2014-15 season with a thoroughly deserved 5-2 win.

Two of Shildon’s four close season signings made debut starts, with the returning Daniel ‘Bobby’ Moore in centre midfield and Adam Rundle on the left wing both performing well.

The Durham Challenge Cup winners were on the front foot from the kick off but it took until the 25th minute for Billy Greulich-Smith – the county cup goal hero – to open the scoring with a simple tap in after good work down the right side.

In the 40th minute the lead was doubled when Paul Connor, who looked dangerous throughout the first half, cut inside on the right before curling a left-footed shot past the keeper’s right hand and into the far corner of the net.

But what looked like a straightforward victory was complicated by slack defending either side of the first half.

Just before the break a simple through ball put Scott Thomson clear, and with the defence static, the midfielder has the simplest of tasks to lob the ball over the onrushing Lewis Graham in the Shildon goal.

And just after the break, confusion in the Shildon defence was followed by confusion over the outcome of Simon Ord’s cross-cum-chip, which fortuitously sailed over Lewis Graham and into the far corner of the net. At first it appeared to have been ruled out for a foul, but the referee then seemed to change his mind and award the equalising goal after all.

The goal came as Shildon’s second half substitutes were still finding their feet, but Shildon took the lead again after Sam Garvie had his taken from under him by Tow Law’s keeper. Mark Hudson stepped up to coolly slot home the resultant penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way (pictured above).

It was then the turn of Michael Rae to score his first Shildon goal on his second half debut. Shildon’s forwards pressed the Tow Law defence into losing the ball before sending Rae through to slide the ball easily past the keeper for Shildon’s fourth.

Shildon were playing some scintillating passing football on this hot Saturday afternoon and had two goals ruled out for narrow offside decisions. Both deserved reward for the excellent build-up play that preceded them.

But there was time yet for the Railwaymen to add a fifth goal. Another excellent move down the right culminated in a 16 yard drive by Sam Hodgson which nestled in the corner of the net and saw Shildon off to a comfortable start to their pre-season.

Next up will be a sterner test at Blyth Spartans on Tuesday evening before the side’s first home friendly next Friday – a rematch from last season as Scottish League One side Stranraer visit Dean Street.

Shildon: Graham, Harwood, Richardson, Craddock, Brackstone, Moore, Ruddy, Hudson, Rundle, Greulich-Smith, Connor. Subs: Emms, Rae, Wood, Garvie Hodgson, Atkin (unused).

See photos from today’s match by Tom Clegg on Flickr.

Friendly entry fees announced

Shildon have announced that entry fees for friendly matches will be £4 adults and £2 concessions. Under 12s are free with a paying adult.

Shildon’s three home friendlies begin with the visit of Scottish League One side, Stranraer FC on Friday 18th July.

Next up at Dean Street will be another Scottish side the following Friday, this time Scottish Juniors club, Tayport FC on Friday 25th July.

The third and final home friendly will take place the following Wednesday evening, 30th July, when the Railwaymen will host Heaton Stannington.

All home friendlies will kick off at 7.30pm.

See details of all Shildon’s pre-season friendlies here.

An Evening With Gary Forrest and Mark Hudson

Where: Shildon AFC Social Club
When: Saturday 19th July
What time: 7.30pm

Local Northern League football expert, Pete Sixsmith will be the host when Shildon AFC manager, Gary Forrest and club captain, Mark Hudson, make themselves available for a night of football conversation with a question and answer session about the forthcoming Northern League season.

The event gives Shildon fans old and new the opportunity to quiz the gaffer and captain about the club’s plans for the coming season and to hear stories from their time in football.

Mark Hudson has played at every level of the game, starting his career in the English Premiership with Middlesbrough. Last season he held aloft the Durham Challenge Cup – Shildon’s first major silverware for a decade and the first time the County Cup has been back at Dean Street for 41 years.

The trophy, which will be on display on the night, is the first in Gary Forrest’s reign as manager, and the club expects to go from strength to strength now that the hurdle of the first silverware has been overcome.

Gary will be talking about the new players coming into the side and revealing his ambitions for the season and how they coincide with the recent three-year plan published by the club.

A spokesperson said, “There are a limited number of tickets for the event, which are selling quickly, so be sure to book yours as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Tickets are just £12 and include complimentary pie, peas and a pint.

“With his deep knowledge of the Northern League and football in general, we are delighted that Pete Sixsmith will be hosting this event and we’re sure he’ll mange to get Gary and Mark to reveal some interesting stories from their time in the game.”

The event takes place at Dean Street clubhouse on Saturday, 19th July from 7.30pm; the day after Shildon play Scottish League One side, Stranraer FC in a home pre-season friendly. Tickets can be booked by calling 07538 789464.

Reserves announce friendlies

For the first time, Shildon Football Club will have a reserve side this season, playing in the Durham Alliance League and based at Sunnydale Leisure Centre.

The reserves will be joined in the league by reserve sides from Spennymoor Town and Bishop Auckland along with a minimum of 14 other sides. Playing last season as Durham Stonebridge, the side finished fourth in the league.

The side has announced a series of pre-season friendlies which will give Shildon fans the opportunity to go along and see the latest additions to the growing number of teams representing the club and the town this season.

The friendlies will be played at Sunnydale Leisure Centre with dates and kick off times as follows:

Sat July 5th: Shildon Reserves v  Silksworth CWFC, 2pm
Wed July 9th: Shildon Reserves v  Rutherford FC, 7pm
Sat Jul 19th: Shildon Reserves v  Easington CWFC, 2pm
Wed July 23rd: Shildon Reserves v  Ashbrooke Belford House, 7pm
Sat July 26th: Shildon Reserves v  Sunderland West End, 2pm
Sat August 2nd: Shildon Reserves v  Swallwell, 2pm

Entry to all reserves games – friendlies and league matches – is free.

Shildon Reserves’ league campaign will kick off on Saturday 9th August. Fixtures are not yet available. You can also follow the Reserves on twitter at their account @ShildonReserves where they will be tweeting all their news and live matchday scores.

Season tickets on sale now

Durham Challenge Cup winners, Shildon AFC have announced that admission fees for the 2014-15 season at Dean Street will be frozen at last year’s prices.

Season tickets, which are on sale now, will again cost just £90 for adults and £50 for concessions and juniors – that’s less than £4.50 per game for adults and less than £2.50 per game for concessions.

Full admission prices for league matches will be £6 and £4 with under 12s gaining free entry when accompanied by a paying adult.

Cup matches are not included in the season ticket and full admission prices for FA Cup and FA Vase games will be £7 adults and £5 concessions. Domestic cup matches will be priced at the same as league matches. The same offer also applies to under 12s.

To purchase your season ticket, contact Jeff Ridley on 07909 992731. Alternatively, contact  Club Secretary, Gareth Howe on 07976 822 453 or by email at gareth.howe3@btopenworld.com.

New season’s fixtures released

Shildon’s Northern League Division One fixtures for the 2014-15 have been published. The Railwaymen will open their campaign with a home match against Billingham Synthonia, evoking memories of last season’s Durham Challenge Cup triumph at the Synners’ home ground.

The Cup winners will visit newcomers Jarrow Roofing on August 23rd while Second Division Champions, North Shields will visit Dean Street on 10th September. The visit of the third newcomers, West Allotment Celtic will have to wait until 25th October.

Expected title challengers and local rivals, West Auckland Town will host Shildon on 4th October, while the first game against last season’s runners up Celtic Nation will take place at Dean Street on November 8th.

Meanwhile, the first two rounds of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup have also been drawn and Shildon will entertain Second Division Whickham at Dean Street in the First Round.

The winners of the tie will then face a trip to the winners of the first round tie between Tow Law Town and Brandon United.

Dates of the ties are yet to be arranged.

The full League fixtures list is reproduced below:

Sat Aug 9th 2014 Billingham Synthonia H
Tue Aug 12th Dunston UTS A
Wed Aug 20th Morpeth Town H
Sat Aug 23rd Jarrow Roofing BCA A
Mon Aug 25th Crook Town H
Sat Aug 30th Bedlington Terriers A
Wed Sep 3rd Guisborough Town A
Sat Sep 6th Newcastle Benfield H
Wed Sep 10th North Shields H
Sat Sep 13th Marske United A
Tue Sep 16th Ashington A
Sat Sep 27th Sunderland RCA H
Sat Oct 4th West Auckland Town A
Sat Oct 11th Consett H
Sat Oct 18th Bishop Auckland A
Sat Oct 25th West Allotment Celtic H
Sat Nov 1st Penrith A
Sat Nov 8th Celtic Nation H
Sat Nov 15th Whitley Bay A
Sat Nov 22nd Newton Aycliffe H
Sat Nov 29th Durham City A
Sat Dec 6th Dunston UTS H
Sat Dec 13th Morpeth Town A
Sat Dec 20th Guisborough Town H
Sat Dec 27th Crook Town A

Sat Jan 3rd 2015 Bedlington Terriers H
Sat Jan 10th Billingham Synthonia A
Sat Jan 17th Jarrow Roofing BCA H
Sat Jan 24th North Shields A
Sat Jan 31st Ashington H
Sat Feb 7th Newcastle Benfield A
Sat Feb 14th Marske United H
Sat Feb 21st Sunderland RCA A
Sat Feb 28th West Auckland Town H
Sat Mar 7th Consett A
Sat Mar 14th Bishop Auckland H
Sat Mar 21st West Allotment Celtic A
Sat Mar 28th Penrith H
Sat Apr 4th Celtic Nation A
Sat Apr 11th Whitley Bay H
Sat Apr 18th Newton Aycliffe A
Sat Apr 25th Durham City H