Author: Martyn Tweddle

Ben Reay selected for England U18 Schoolboys: North of England squad

Ben Reay is one of 15 boys who have been selected to represent the North Of England in the final England U18 Schoolboy trials.

Following a second round of trials which saw the Midland and North regional squads travel to Stafford Town FC, Ben has been selected to represent the North of England in the final stage of trials on 30 November.

The squad will face off against the South of England team for the final stage of the trials on Saturday 30 November. The southern squad is due to be selected when the South East and South West regional teams travel to Rectory Park, Middlesex on Sunday 17 November.

Congratulations to Ben and best of luck in the final round of trials.

Shildon AFC working in partnership with @HaysTravel and @weare_livin Futures

Could you be the next apprentice of the year working for Hays Travel?

Come to the open night at Shildon AFC, Dean Street to find out how you can be guaranteed an interview.

The evening will be held on Thursday 28th November from 6:30pm in the Blue Diamond Social Club, Dean Street, Shildon..

Hays award-winning apprenticeships offer you the opportunity to earn a salary, gain valuable on-the-job experience and achieve a nationally recognised certificate.  

Their experienced learning and development coaches would be on hand to give you expert advice, one-to-one support and award-winning training throughout your apprenticeship.

Many of their team leaders and managers started their career as apprentices and there are many development opportunities at Hays Travel for you to progress in your career.

On the apprenticeships John Hays, Managing Director and Founder says “We are extremely proud of our apprenticeship programme and value the wealth of energy, diversity and innovation our apprentices bring into Hays Travel”.

FULL TIME | Shildon 2 Hartlepool United 4

Match Report courtesy of Hartlepool United

Niko Muir scored twice and Luke Williams made his comeback from injury as Pools defeated Shildon 4-2 in the Durham County Challenge Cup at Dean Street on Wednesday evening.

Front man Muir showed a ruthless edge inside the area to strike twice, while Coleby Shepherd and Gavan Holohan also found the net as Pools knocked out holders Shildon.

The icing on the cake was the return of midfield man Williams, who played the last 25 minutes of the First Round tie after recovering from surgery on his knee.

Antony Sweeney had opted to name a strong squad for the game at Shildon, giving several First Team players the chance to get minutes under their belts against The Railwaymen.

Luke James almost put Pools in front on 15 minutes when he was slipped through by Muir but home keeper Shaun Newbrook was out quickly to save with his feet, while Jason Kennedy fired just over moments later following some good football from Sweeney’s side.

The goal arrived on 21 minutes when another lovely touch by Muir freed young midfielder Shepherd in to the area and he jinked around a few desperate challenges before slotting a cool finish beneath Newbrook and in to the net.

Shildon came out firing at the start of the second half and Daniel Craggs came mightily close to bringing them level with a thunderous drive from thirty yards which fizzed just wide of Brad Young’s upright.

However, Craggs didn’t have to wait long to find the net when he took charge of a direct free-kick twenty yards out and planted a sweet shot in to the bottom left-hand corner to make it 1-1 on 53 minutes.

The equaliser served only to anger Pools though and they were back in front on the hour-mark when Holohan took matters in to his own hands with a driving run to the right of the area and a drilled finish across the keeper.

And it was 3-1 just two minutes later when another sweeping move down the right sent James away in to the box and his intelligent ball across found Muir who produced a smart turn and emphatic finish for 3-1.

Kenton Richardson was close to scoring when his looping cross from the right deceived Newbrook and came back off the bar, while at the other end Billy Greulich-Smith rattled the woodwork after a brilliant run from Jordan Lavery.

Muir doubled his tally ten minutes from time with a beautiful backheel flick finish after positive play from Shepherd on the right had opened up the home defence once again.

To their credit, the hosts rallied in the closing stages and they pulled a goal back when former Pools striker Greulich-Smith planted a header in to the net from a left-wing corner.

Young Pools substitute Joe Grey forced a good save from Newbrook in the closing stages before Brad Young denied Greulich-Smith a second at the other end with a fine save right at the death.

Full Time: Shildon 2 Pools 4

FULL TIME | Shildon 0 Consett 3

Shildon struggled to get a grip of the game and went 2-0 within the first 29 minutes.

Dale Pearson scored both goals in the first 20 minutes to virtually seal the win for Consett.

Jake Orrel’s deflected effort in the second half completed the scoring.

Full Time : Shildon 0 Consett 3
Attendance : 446 

6th Form Open Evening at Dean Street

King James I Academy in partnership with Shildon AFC will  be holding a sixth form open evening on Wednesday 6th November at Dean Street between 6pm and 8pm

The evening is for any year 11 school leavers this academic year who would like to be a part of a football academy whilst staying in education.

Students can pick from a range of a-level & btec subjects to go alongside the Football.

The Evening is ideal if you wish to find out more about the Academy.

FULL TIME | Shildon 2 West Didsbury & Chorlton 0

Shildon are through to the 2nd round of the FA Vase after a 2-0 victory against West Didsbury & Chorlton

Nathan Steel gave Shildon the perfect start after 2 minutes with a cool finish past the West goalkeeper.

West Didsbury & Chorlton were down to 10 men after 10 minutes when Lee Gavin was given a straight red card for a tackle on Ben Trotter.

In the final minute of the half Danny Craggs double the advantage forcing the ball home from a Heywood cross.

Shaun Newbrook tipped a shot over to keep the clean sheet in tact and Billy Greulich-Smith had a goal disallowed late in the second half.

Final Score : Shildon 2 West Didsbury & Chorlton 0

Attendance 257

Man of The Match : David Palmer