MATCH REPORT BY WILF TRAY (edited by Michael Wilson)
Ardelean Hat-Trick Not Enough as Shildon Held in Eight-Goal Thriller
Shildon were left ruing a missed opportunity to climb to the top of the Northern League after being held to a breathless 4–4 draw by an in‑form Birtley Town side at Dean Street.
The hosts made the perfect start, taking the lead inside seven minutes. Luke Spalding was brought down by visiting goalkeeper Max Campbell, and Ciaran Banks confidently dispatched the resulting penalty. But Birtley hit back almost immediately, with Alexander Walker rising at the far post to nod home just five minutes later.
The game continued at a frantic pace. Reece Harrison put the visitors ahead midway through the half, only for Shildon to respond within a minute as Andrei Ardelean drilled in the equaliser to make it 2–2. The first half closed with both sides trading chances but unable to edge in front.
Five minutes after the restart, Ardelean struck again, bundling home from a Spalding cross to restore Shildon’s lead. They held that advantage until the 74th minute, when Lewis Exley swept in at the far post to level the match once more.
Birtley then stunned the home crowd by taking the lead for a second time, James Procter firing past Sam Taylor with 10 minutes remaining. But the drama was far from over. Straight from the restart, Ardelaen burst through the defence to complete his hat‑trick and haul Shildon back to 4–4.
The Railwaymen piled forward in the closing stages, forcing a succession of corners, but Birtley held firm to secure a point in what was a superb advert for Northern League football. On balance, a draw felt the fairest outcome—though Shildon will know it was a chance missed in their push for top spot.
Attendance: 320
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