Category: Match Report

Hebburn Town 2 Shildon 0, Match Report by Adam Gill

Shildon suffered their first league defeat of the season as they were beaten by FA Vase finalists Hebburn 2-0 at the Energy Advice Sports Ground.

Graeme Armstrong gave the home side the lead in the 32nd minute before Olly Martin sealed the win in the 90th minute.

The visitors had the first chance of the game 21 minutes in, when Billy Greulich-Smith was sent through on goal, however he could only place his effort wide.

Hebburn took the lead through Armstrong, as Thomas Potter’s dinked cross found the forward on the edge of the six yard box, before he sent his downward header beyond Shaun Newbrook.

Damien Mullen almost doubled Hebburn’s advantage just before half-time, however his strike from the edge of the box was well handled by Newbrook.

Shildon increased the pressure in the second half and went close to equalising, as Jordan Lavery’s long range effort from 25 yards struck the outside of the post.

Shildon kept pushing forward looking for the equaliser, however everything they sent forward came back as Hebburn’s resilience showed.

Hebburn sealed the win in the last minute, as a counter-attack sent Cedwyn Scott through, before he squared the ball to Martin who slotted home.

Shildon travel to Newton Aycliffe on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways, whilst Hebburn welcome Pontefract Collieries in the FA Cup.

Shildon 5 West Auckland 0 – Match Report by Adam Gill

Shildon started off their season with a 5-0 win as they defeated West Auckland Town in the Northern League at Dean Street.

First half goals from Billy Greulich-Smith, Aidan Heywood and Chay Liddle gave the home side a commanding half time lead.

Ben Trotter and Zak Atkinson completed the scoring to round off an impressive display in their first league game.

Shildon were beaten in the FA Cup by Stockton on Wednesday, whilst West Auckland defeated Heaton Stannington.

The home side took the lead in the 4th minute when Jordan Lavery’s cross was met by Greulich-Smith, who’s deft header found its way past West Auckland keeper Thomas Flynn.

Shildon nearly scored again soon after as Dean Thexton played through Heywood, however the defender could only fire his effort over the bar.

The hosts doubled their lead 21 minutes in when Greulich-Smith knocked down Joe Posthill’s cross, before Heywood slotted home into the bottom corner.

The Railwaymen scored their third in the 34th minute, when Liddle picked up Michael Sweets deflected effort on the edge of the box, before he smashed home beyond Flynn.

West Auckland almost pulled a goal back in the 67th minute, when Lewis Dodds’ long range effort sailed just wide of the post.

Shildon added a fourth in the 82nd minute, when Heywood found Trotter in the box before his low strike nestled into the bottom corner.

Atkinson completed the scoring in added time, as he drove into the box before curling his low effort into the bottom corner.

Shildon face Hebburn Town away on Tuesday night, whilst West Auckland travel to Guisborough Town on Wednesday.

Stockton Town 3 Shildon 0, Match Report by Adam Gill

Stockton Town 3-0 Shildon: Match Report

Shildon were beaten in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round as they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Stockton Town at the Map Group UK Stadium.

Michael Roberts gave Stockton the lead in the 12th minute after a mistake from Shildon keeper Shaun Newbrook, before Nathan Mulligan doubled his sides advantage in the 26th minute.

Jonathan Franks sealed the win for Stockton in the last minute as he got on the end of Kevin Hayes’ cross.

Stockton will face Billingham Town away in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, whilst Shildon exit the competition at the first hurdle.

The home side took the lead when Newbrook lost control of the ball due to pressure from Mulligan, leaving Roberts to slot the ball home into the bottom corner.

Newbrook redeemed himself three minutes later, as he brilliantly tipped Jordan Robinson’s effort from the edge of the box over the bar.

Newbrook produced a great save four minutes later, when Franks’ whipped cross was met by the head of Mulligan, who was denied at point blank range.

The hosts increased their lead when Lewis King picked out Mulligan on the edge of the box, before his low strike evaded Newbrook and rolled off the post and in.

Shildon went close to pulling a goal back in the 74th minute, when Joe Posthill’s cross was met by Michael Sweet, however his header was turned away by Lee Roberts.

Stockton nearly added a third in the 80th minute, as Franks’ cross was met by Max Craggs, however he could only flick the ball wide of the post.

The home side sealed the win in the 90th minute, when Frank’s nodded home Hayes’ cross was close range to send his side through into the next round of the FA Cup.

Match report v Morpeth Town by Adam Gill

Shildon 1-3 Morpeth Town: Match Report

Shildon suffered defeat in their final game of pre-season as they were beaten by Morpeth Town at Dean Street.

Goals from Callum Williams, Jeff Henderson and Andrew Johnson within an eight minute spell gave The Highwaymen a commanding half-time lead.

Danny Craggs pulled a goal back in the 87th minute from the spot after Daniel Moore was brought down in the area.

Shildon had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute, when Chay Liddle skipped past two defenders before his curling effort was saved by Morpeth keeper Dan Lowson.

The away side went close to taking the lead when Connor Oliver turned his man on the edge of the box, before sending his effort just wide of the post.

Morpeth took the lead 31 minutes in, when Liam Noble’s exquisite through ball found Williams leaving him to arrow his shot into the top corner, leaving Shildon stopped Shaun Newbrook no chance.

The visitors doubled their lead six minutes later, as Henderson’s goalbound header from a free kick crossed the line in the eye of the officials, despite protest from the Shildon players as they thought it hadn’t crossed the line.

Two minutes later Morpeth were three goals to the good, as Johnson’s 20 yard free kick found its way past Newbrook at his near post.

The home side were awarded a penalty late on, as Moore was brought down in the area by the Morpeth defender.

Craggs stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, placing his effort into the bottom left corner to pull a goal back for his side.

Craggs went close to adding his second in the 87th minute, however he sent his free kick just over the bar.

Shildon’s next game is away to Stockton Town in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.

Shildon v Frickley Athletic – Match Report by Adam Gill

Shildon 2-1 Frickley Athletic: Match Report

Shildon overcame Frickley Athletic in this fiery encounter as they maintained their excellent pre-season record at Dean Street.

Brad Grayson gave Frickley the lead in the 16th minute before Daniel Moore scored the equaliser on the half-hour mark.

Dean Thexton gave his side the lead four minutes later after some neat build up play from the Shildon attack.

The home side came into the game having won all four of their pre-season games, having seen off Sunderland West End, Silksworth CW, Newcastle Blue Star and Willington.

The Blues went ahead when Grayson brilliantly curled his 20 yard free kick into the top corner beyond Shildon keeper Shaun Newbrook.

The hosts almost pulled level eight minutes later when Moore got onto the end of Danny Craggs’ cross, however he directed his header onto the bar.

Moore did give Shildon the lead after Frickley keeper Alfie Eccles-Smith lost the ball, leaving Moore to nod home into an empty net.

The Railwaymen went ahead four minutes later, when Chay Liddle found Billy Greulich-Smith before the striker expertly flicked the ball beyond the Frickley defence into the path of Thexton who placed the ball beyond Eccles-Smith.

Frickley came close to drawing level on the hour mark, when Jack Wightwick’s cross found Grayson who could only head wide.

Wightwick was again at the centre of Frickley’s play, as his pull back found Keegan Everington on the edge of the box, however he sent his effort just wide.

The home side nearly increased their advantage 20 minutes from time when Craggs’ thunderous strike from the edge hit the bar, before Zak Atkinson headed the rebound over.

Atkinson went close again just a minute later as he found himself through on goal, however his lobbed effort came back off the bar into the hands of Eccles-Smith.

Shildon will complete pre-season fixtures at home to Northern Premier League Premier Division side Morpeth Town as they look to end with a perfect record.

Shildon v Willington, match report by Adam Gill

Shildon 8-1 Willington: Match Report

Shildon produced a dominant display as they swept aside Willington in their fourth pre-season friendly at Dean Street.

Billy Greulich-Smith gave the home side the lead, before a Nicholas Smith own goal and a Danny Craggs penalty gave The Railwaymen a three goal lead at half-time.

Goals from Dean Thexton and Michael Sweet increased their sides lead before Thexton added his second of the game seven minutes from time.

A brace from Chay Liddle gave Shildon an eight goal lead before Adam Storey pulled one back for Willington on the full time whistle.

The home side took the lead in the 15th minute when Craggs’ corner was met by Greulich-Smith who headed beyond Willington keeper Carl Robinson.

Shildon doubled their advantage 30 minutes in, when Cragg’s corner was met by Smith, who turned the ball into his net.

Five minutes before half-time, the hosts were awarded a penalty when David Palmer was brought down in the area.

Craggs stepped up and slotted home into the bottom corner, sending Robinson the wrong way.

Shildon nearly added a fourth in the 51st minute, when Greulich-Smith laid the ball off to Craggs on the edge of the area, only to see his thunderous effort come back off the underside of the bar.

Thexton did add his sides fourth 65 minutes in, when he robbed Robinson of the ball before calmly slotting home.

The hosts added a fifth through Michael Sweet five minutes later, as he saw his headed effort loop over the Willington stopper.

The Railwaymen increased their lead seven minutes from time, as Thexton was played through on goal before he finished beyond Robinson.

Shildon added their seventh of the game two minutes later, when Liddle cut inside and curled beyond Robinson.

Liddle completed his brace in the 88th minute when his low strike found its way into the bottom corner.

Willington added a consolation on the full time whistle, when Storey’s 25 yard free kick found its way past Shildon keeper Matthew Bateman.

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