Birtley Town vs Shildon

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Recap

MATCH REPORT BY WILF TRAY (edited by Michael Wilson)

Last-Gasp Glory as Shildon Edge Birtley Town in Dramatic Finish

Shildon left it late but ultimately claimed a well-earned three points on Tuesday night, snatching a 2–1 victory over Birtley Town thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Luke Spalding.

It was a night of near misses and mounting frustration for the Railwaymen, who rattled the woodwork five times and squandered a string of golden opportunities. Ben Reay, Andrei Ardelaen, and Billy Greulich-Smith all went close early on before Reay finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, racing clear and slotting coolly into the corner.

Birtley responded with a spirited spell before the interval but failed to seriously test Shildon keeper Kiaran Hunter.  Shildon had a strong penalty appeal waved away early in the second half, and Ardelaen blazed over when clean through as the chances continued to pile up.

The hosts found their equaliser on the hour mark, Liam Thear rising to nod past Hunter and set up a tense finale. Shildon threw everything forward in the dying stages, and just when it looked like their profligacy might prove costly, Spalding delivered the killer blow in the 92nd minute, rifling home to spark jubilant celebrations.

The win lifts Shildon to fifth in the table, with games in hand on all four sides above them. Next up: a trip to botom club Whickham on Saturday, where the Railwaymen will look to keep their momentum rolling.

Attendance: 162

Details

Date Time League Season
September 23, 2025 7:30 pm ENL1 2025-26

Ground

Newtown Industrial Estate, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 2QW
Barley Mow, Birtley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, North East, England, DH3 2QQ, United Kingdom

Results

Club1st Half2nd HalfGoals
Birtley Town011
Shildon112

Birtley Town

Position Captain Goals Yellow Cards Red Cards
 0110

Shildon

# Player Position Captain Goals Yellow Cards Red Cards
Kieran HunterGoalkeeper0000
Ashton Houlahan Midfielder0000
Ciaran BanksDefender0000
Sam HodgsonMidfielder0000
Alfie MarriottDefender0000
Max AllenDefender0000
Benjamin Reay Forward0100
Jon WeirsMidfielder1000
Billy Greulich-SmithForward0000
Andrei Ardelean Forward0000
Luke SpaldingMidfielder0100
Leighton Harris Midfielder0000
Dan SmithMidfielder0000
Nathan GreenwoodForward0000
Adam Lennox Forward0000
 Total  200