Shildon Should Have Won.

Shildon AFC will be in the draw for the 1st Round proper of the F.A. Cup alongside Norton United from the Evo-Stik League, after the teams played a 1 – 1 draw on Saturday 25th October. The replay will be at Dean Street on Wednesday 29th October with a 7 45 pm kick off. Remarkably, all 12 of yesterdays 4th Round ties ended up as draws, however,  Shildon should have won this game by 3 or 4 clear goals, but if you don’t put your chances away, you won’t win games.

The Railwaymen were without Bobby Moore, Darren Craddock and Billy Greulich-Smith and before the kick-off Lee Scroggins injured himself in the warm up and was replaced by Danny Richmond. Shildon had Mark Doninger at No 7, having recently returned from playing in Australia.

Shildon started strongly and after three early corners they took the lead on 8 minutes when Ben Wood crossed from the right and captain Mark Hudson fired home from 20 yards.

Midway through the half Norton though they had equalised when a Glynn Blackhurst corner was saved by keeper Kyle Hayes, but the ball was bundled over the line by No 9 Lee Cropper, and a free kick was given.

The home side came more into the game, but Shildon should have increased their lead on 35 minutes when a brilliant cross from Adam Rundle found Ben Wood unmarked but somehow he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

On 38 minutes Norton were down to 10 men when No 3 Paul Taylor was red carded for elbowing Ben Wood in the mouth, knocking out one of his teeth.

Half Time:  Norton United  0  Shildon AFC  1

Early Shildon pressure saw Paul Connor head straight at the keeper, than a minute later Ben Wood, who looked off side was clean though but keeper Danny Roberts saved well.

For Norton No 9 Lee Croper brought two great saves from Shildon keeper Lee Cropper.

On 65 minutes Norton were level when a Michael Lennon cross  from the left was turned into his own goal by Shildon’s John Brackstone.

With the one man advantage Shildon pressed for the winner.  On 71 minutes Paul Connor was  clean through with a one on one with the keeper Danny Roberts who saved with his feet. More chances followed with Darrren Richardson hitting the side netting and Micky Rae’s shot blocked. Near the end three shots from Hudson, Connor and Rae were all blocked as Norton’s defence held out, and were relieved to here the final whistle.

Final Score:  Norton United  1  Shildon AFC  1

Goalscorer:  Hudson 8.

Bookings:  (Y)  Doninger 50, Brackstone 53, Hudson 57, Harwood 90.

Subs:  Harwood for Richmond 59, Rae for Wood 70, Richardson for Rundle 74.

Man-of-the-Match:  Mark Hudson

A game Shildon should have won.

After the match there was an altercation in the dressing rooms between team players, management and supporters resulting in the police being called. Not a pleasant end to a good cup tie.