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

It was a case of experience over exuberance at Dean Street as Shildon AFC delivered a ruthless performance against a youthful Durham United side, cruising to an emphatic 8–1 victory in the cup.

The Railwaymen wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Luke Spalding curling a sublime effort into the top corner inside two minutes to set the tone. Durham’s fledgling back line held firm for a brief spell, but the pressure told in the 20th minute when Andrei Ardelaen doubled the lead with a composed finish.

New signing Alfie Marriott marked his debut in style, slotting home on the half-hour mark to make it three, before Spalding added his second and Ardelaen netted twice more to complete a first-half hat trick. Shildon entered the break with a commanding 6–0 advantage.

The second half saw no let-up. Veteran forward Billy Greulich-Smith opened his account for the season with Shildon’s seventh, and Spalding capped off a stellar individual performance by converting from the spot in the 71st minute to seal his hat trick.

A late consolation from Durham’s Thomas Boothroyd denied Shildon the clean sheet they craved, but it did little to dampen the home side’s momentum.

Shildon now shift their focus back to league action with a midweek clash against Northallerton Town FC, before turning their attention to Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Witton Albion. The next round of the FA Vase awaits in September, as the Railwaymen prepare to host Longridge Town—though the venue for that fixture is still to be confirmed.

Attendance: 102