A Bad Defeat

Shildon AFC suffered a set back in their quest to win the league when they were beaten 4 – 2 away at Crook Town on Friday 22nd November 2013. Crook had already defeated Shildon 2- 0 at Dean Street in the 2nd game of the season.

The Railwaymen couldn’t have wished for a worst start, going down 1- 0 after only 90 seconds when a misjudged back pass by Darren Craddock left Kyle Davis with an easy shot past keeper Lewis Graham.

Shildon had their chances with Lee Kerr blasting over, then firing wide, before more slack Shildon defending saw ex Shildon player Craig Hughes fire into the bottom corner for 2 – 0.

The visitors hit back on 36 minutes when a cross from Jamie Harwood was headed home by Mark Hudson. Just before the interval star man Hudson scored his 2nd to level the score.

Half Time:  Crook Town  2  Shildon AFC  2

With the score now level it was expected that Shildon would come out and dominate the 2nd half, but alas, it was the other way around with Crook Town controlling the game.

Early on Shildon’s Jamie Harwood had a header cleared off the line before Crook took the lead again when a shot from captain Richard Hodgson was deflected past keeper Lewis Graham.

With only 8 minutes remaining Crook broke away down the left and a cross was slotted in by Robbie Bird to seal the win.

Final Score:  Crooke Town  4  Shildon  2

Goalscorers: Hudson 36, 45.

Subs: Wood for Kerr 60, Doninger for Scroggins 75, Richardson for brackstone 75.

Bookings: (Y) Craddock 27, Brackstone 75.

Man-of-the-Match:  Mark Hudson.

After losing tonight, Shildon’s lead at the top of the table is now slender and with Spennymoor, Celtic Nation and West Auckland all having games in hand, they will surely go above Shildon in due course. The defending tonight was poor and the attacking play wasn’t much better either. The team is inconsistent.