Author: Martyn Tweddle

Former Shildon manager, Ray Gowan releases book

Ray Gowan who spent 14 Seasons at Shildon, including the FA Cup first round game against Notts County,  has released a book looking back over his 45 years in non league football as a player and manager.

The book entitled Football Ray’s Way is available to order direct from Ray priced at £10 + Postage & Packing.

Speaking to the website Ray said of the book “I am very pleased with the quality of the printing and the book will be a great addition to any quality bookshelf.

It covers my time as a player in the South and the Northern League and Northern Premier for Gateshead.

I went to SA in 1971 and managed my first team. I returned to the UK in 1976 and managed at Dormans in The Teesside League and then Brandon, Spennymoor, Shildon (14 seasons), Ashington, Esh Winning and finally West Auckland. I returned to SA in 2008 and have lived here ever since.”

If you would like to order a copy of Ray’s book, please email raygowan@hotmail.com 

Stockton Town 1 Shildon 3 – Match Report by Adam Gill

Stockton Town 1-3 Shildon: Match Report

Shildon saw off a tough Stockton Town side in the Buildbase FA Vase as they progressed to the fourth round at the Map Group UK Stadium.

Dean Thexton gave the Railwaymen the lead in the 13th minute before Kurt Matthews doubled his sides lead on the stroke of half time.

Nathan Mulligan pulled a goal back for Stockton in the 73rd minute, before Thexton sealed the win for Shildon five minutes from time.

Shildon reached the third round after an away win against Hallam, whilst Stockton defeated Charnock Richard at home.

The home side had the first chance of the game, when Kevin Hayes cut inside past Dom Curl however his effort was saved by Shaun Newbrook.

Thexton gave his side the lead just two minutes later, when his brilliant strike dipped over keeper Ross Coombe into the net.

Shildon almost went two up in the 33rd minute, when Thexton ran onto Daniel Moore’s long ball, before seeing his half-volley saved by Coombe.

The away side doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, as captain Chay Liddle played through Matthews who slotted home beyond Coombe.

Stockton pushed forward in the second half – Hayes and Shane Henry going close – however the Shildon back line stood strong and resilient.

The hosts did find a way back into the game through Mulligan, as he brought down a cross before firing low past Newbrook to half the deficit.

Shildon’s two goal advantage was restored in the 85th minute, when Michael Sweet laid the ball off to Thexton, who excellently placed the ball into the top corner to seal the win.

Stockton bow out of the competition at the third round, whilst Shildon continue their quest to Wembley.

Hallam 0 Shildon 2, match report by Adam Gill

Hallam 0-2 Shildon: Match Report

Shildon progressed to the third round of the FA Vase after a 2-0 victory over Sheffield-based Hallam at Sandygate.

Dean Thexton gave the Railwaymen the lead in the 50th minute with a neat finish beyond Sam Andrew.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Jack Vaulks poked the ball home after a scramble in the box.

Thexton came close to giving Shildon the lead in the 13th minute, as he skipped past three Hallam players before seeing his low effort saved by Andrew.

Kurt Matthews saw his low strike saved by Andrew in the 27th minute, after driving into the area past the Hallam defender.

The home side nearly took the lead just before half-time, when Danny Deakin sent his effort from the edge of the box just wide of the post.

Shildon went ahead early on in the second half, when Michael Sweet’s exquisite through ball sent Thexton through on goal, before he placed his effort into the top corner past Andrew.

The away side’s advantage was doubled 22 minutes from time, as Vaulks was to first to the ball after a scramble in the box, before sending his effort into the bottom corner via a slight deflection off a Hallam defender.

Hallam pushed forward in search of a goal and came close, with Kieren Watson forcing a world class save out of Shaun Newbrook, keeping Shildon’s advantage intact.

Shildon travel to Stockton Town in the third round of the FA Vase next Saturday, in hope they can progress to the next round.

FA Vase v @HallamFC1860 – Livestream

Tomorrow we travel to Hallam in the FA Vase 2nd Round, and although only Home Supporters are now allowed in, Hallam are going to provide a livestream for anyone who can’t make the game.

The link to the stream is as follows

Hallam v Shildon – FA Vase 2nd Round Livestream

Many thanks go to Hallam FC as in the spirit of non-league its completely free and no signup required.

We will also have the usual Twitter @Official_SAFC , @Shildon_AFC & Goalshouter Feeds so that you can stay in touch with what is happening.

 

 

FA Vase – 2nd Round v @HallamFC1860

Our next opponents in the FA Vase will be Hallam FC after they won an entertaining game against AFC Blackpool 4-3 yesterday.

Hallam are the World’s Second Oldest Football Club founded in 1860 and play at the World’s Oldest Football Ground, Sandygate.

Sadly the game will be played behind closed does with both areas currently in tier 3 restrictions.

Hallam FC are however looking to stream the game live so hopefully supporters will be able to view online.

The game will take place on Saturday 12th December.

Ebac Northern League – Resumption of Fixtures

Today we have received the following from the Northern League on the resumption.

“As you will all be aware the current lockdown ends at midnight on the 2nd December 2020 and will be replaced by a three tier system based on total number of Covid cases in an area; the number of cases in over 60s; rate at which cases are rising or falling; the proportion of test results coming back positive and pressure on the NHS.

Decisions made by the Government will unfortunately see 36 of the league’s 40 clubs placed in areas covered by Tier Three restrictions which would allow football to be played at Steps 5/6 but would require them to be played behind closed doors thereby removing significant income streams for all our clubs.

Although the FA has stressed that their key objective is to conclude the 2020/21 season and implement promotion and relegation, either through completion of the fixtures schedule or by a mathematical formula if the season is incomplete, it is the feeling of the LMC that it at this stage it’s simply not financially viable to ask clubs to play without spectators being present.

Consequently, at an emergency LMC meeting held earlier this morning it was decided that the league would be suspended for a further two weeks until 16th December 2020 when the Government will be undertaking the first of its fortnightly reviews of the tier areas.

We will also review the situation at this point.

In the meantime the league will be carrying out a consultation exercise with its member clubs over the next week as to how we can fulfil the FA’s objectives and still comply with the Government restrictions without putting our clubs’ existence at risk.

Any decision regarding league fixtures does not include the FA Vase or the County Cup competitions which do not fall under our jurisdiction.”

We await the decision on the FA Vase.

 

Bootle 0 Shildon 2, Match report by Adam Gill

Shildon progressed to the FA Vase Second Round as they beat Bootle 2-0 away from home at the Berry Street Garage Stadium.

Joe Posthill gave the away side the lead in the 54th minute after cutting inside from the right wing before firing home.

Chay Liddle sealed the win for the Railwaymen in the 72nd minute when his shot nestled into the bottom corner.

With the wind behind them, Bootle had the most chances in the first half, however Shildon had some chances of their own.

The home side had the first chance of the game, when Steven Hoy saw his long range effort equally matched by Shaun Newbrook.

Dean Thexton nearly gave Shildon the lead, when he drove inside before seeing his whipped effort saved by Ryan Jones.

Bootle almost took the lead just before half-time, when Kieran Halligan’s long range strike was well turned away by Newbrook.

Shildon took the lead in the 54th minute, when Posthill cut inside with a neat stepover before curling his effort into the bottom corner past Jones.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 72nd minute, when Liddle picked up the ball on the edge of the box, before firing a pinpoint effort into the bottom corner.

Michael Sweet nearly added a third for the away side, however his low effort was brilliantly saved by Jones.

Bootle pushed forward trying to get back into the game, however anything Bootle threw forward, Shildon threw back.

The whole Shildon team produced a fantastic performance – Daniel Moore in particular – as they capped off a great display with a win and a clean sheet that sees them go into the next round of the FA Vase.

Photos of the game can be viewed here

Interview with Mark Hudson

Interview with Daniel Moore