Shildon Back to top of the League

Friday 13th December 2013 wasn’t unlucky for the Railwaymen when they entertained local rivals Bishop Auckland. A big crowd witnessed a good 4 – 0 victory, putting Shildon back at the top of the league, one point above Celtic Nation who they play away on Saturday 21st December, a six pointer.

Bishops were the better side early on, nevertheless they went behind on 40 minutes when a free kick was headed on by Jamie Harwood to Paul Connor who turned his man and scored a cracking goal, blasting the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

Half Time:  Shildon AFC  1  Bishop Auckland 0

After Bishops had missed a couple of chances they went further behind when Mark Doninger hit a great right foot shot from the edge of the box which took a slight defection over keeper Scott Pocklington.

It was 3 – 0 on 74 minutes when Doninger scored his 2nd of the night with a left foot blaster into the top corner.

Near the end Lee Scroggins dispossessed defender Chris Lawson for his shot to be parred out by keeper Pocklington for an easy tap in for Paul Connor.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  4  Bishop Auckland  0

Goalscorers:  Connor 40, 81, Doninger 57, 74.

Subs:  Doninger for Harwood 46, Garvie for Ruddy 73, Jameson for Connor 82.

Bookings: (Y) Scroggins 20, Hudson 27, Ruddy 68, Wood 85.

Man-of-the-Match: Darren Craddock, with Carl Jones a close 2nd.

A good team performance, as Bishops are a good side. Early on they looked threatening but tonight we were able to put away our chances, and if you can do that you win games. The first goal settled the team down, and in the 2nd half we were in control.