League: FA Vase
Joe Posthill
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Irlam FC vs Shildon
IRLAM FC WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES
MATCH REPORT BY WILF TRAY (edited by Michael Wilson)
Penalty Heartbreak for Shildon After Spirited Fightback at Irlam
Shildon AFC bowed out of the cup in agonising fashion on Saturday afternoon, falling 5–4 in a penalty shootout after a pulsating 2–2 draw away at Irlam.
The Railwaymen were slow out of the blocks and paid the price early, conceding in the 7th minute when a deflected strike from the edge of the box wrong-footed keeper Sam Taylor and nestled into the bottom corner.
Despite the early setback, Shildon gradually found their rhythm, carving out a couple of promising chances before heading into the break trailing by a single goal.
The second half saw a transformed Shildon side take control, pinning the hosts back with slick passing and attacking intent. Their pressure paid off in the 57th minute when Alfie Marriott volleyed in his second goal for the club, sparking jubilant scenes among the travelling support.
Momentum stayed with the visitors, and just six minutes later, a flowing move involving Ciaran Banks and Ben Reay ended with Billy Greulich-Smith arriving at the near post to tap in and give Shildon a deserved lead.
At that point, the tie looked to be heading Shildon’s way, but Irlam refused to roll over. The match opened up into a frantic end-to-end contest, and the hosts clawed their way back with a crucial equaliser in the 80th minute.
There was still time for late drama, as Leighton Harris found himself with a golden chance to win it in stoppage time, only to blaze over from close range.
With no extra time in this round, the match went straight to penalties. Sam Taylor gave Shildon early hope with a save from Irlam’s first spot-kick, but misses from Jon Weirs and Max Allen proved costly as the hosts edged the shootout 5–4.
ATTENDANCE: 165
2 vs 2 
Shildon vs Longridge Town FC
MATCH REPORT BY WILF TRAY (edited by Michael Wilson)
Shildon Storm Past Longridge in Second-Half Surge
Shildon AFC overcame torrential conditions to deliver a dominant second-half performance and secure a 3–0 victory over Longridge Town. After a tightly contested first half, the Railwaymen found their stride with goals from Billy Greulich-Smith and Tom Price sealing the win.
In the first halft both sides battled bravely against the elements, creating chances but failing to convert. The opening 45 minutes saw missed opportunities at both ends, with the scoreline remaining goalless at the break.
Shildon came out firing after the interval, with Luke Spalding’s pace and movement causing havoc down the flanks. The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Billy Greulich-Smith rose highest to head into the top corner.
Just three minutes later, Greulich-Smith doubled the lead, bundling the ball past the keeper after a slick move down the left. Longridge threatened on the counter, but goalkeeper Kieran Hunter stood firm, making two crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. In added time, Tom Price capped off the performance with a composed finish to make it 3–0 and put the result beyond doubt.
A well-deserved win for Shildon, marked by a resilient team effort and a clinical second-half display. The result keeps momentum building as the squad continues to impress both ‘home’ and away.
Attendance: 158
3 vs 0 
Shildon AFC vs Durham United FC
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
8 vs 1 