Shildon vs Thornaby

Recap

MATCH REPORT BY WILF TRAY _{(edited by Michael Wilson)}

SHILDON WEATHER THE STORM TO CLAIM VICTORY ON DEAN STREET’S NEW TURF

On a day when the wind howled through Dean Street like a runaway freight train, Shildon AFC delivered a gutsy, wind-assisted performance to mark their return with a 3–1 win and all three points.With 502 hardy souls braving the brutal conditions, it took just 14 minutes for the Railwaymen to christen the new pitch. Billy Greulich Smith threaded a clever ball through to Adam Lennox, who made no mistake, slotting past the keeper to open the scoring.

With the gale at their backs, Shildon pressed hard throughout the first half, carving out multiple chances but failing to convert. The scoreline remained 1–0 at the break, though it could easily have been more.

Turning into the wind for the second half, Shildon showed resilience and control. In the 56th minute, Ben Reay found space in a congested box and rifled a low shot into the corner to double the lead.

The visitors clawed one back in the 80th minute when a long ball caught the home defence off guard. Charlie Twinn latched onto it and coolly lobbed Kiaran Hunter to make it 2–1, setting up what looked to be a nervy finale.

But Shildon weren’t done. With two minutes left on the clock, Nathan Greenwood sealed the win, beating the keeper at his near post to make it 3–1 and send the home crowd into raptures.

It was a performance full of grit and flashes of quality in hurricane-like conditions—a fitting way to kick off the next chapter at Dean Street.

Next up, Shildon take a brief pause from league duties as they begin their Durham Challenge Cup defence away at Sunderland RCA on Tuesday nig

Attendance: 502