End of Brilliant Run

Shildon AFC’s brilliant run in the F.A. Cup came to an end at Dean Street on Wednesday 29th October 2014 going down 2 -1 in the replay in the 4th Qualifying Round to Norton United from Stoke on Trent.

The Railwaymen had already beaten Padiham, Whitby Town, Stalybridge Celtic and Stourbridge, teams all from higher leagues.

In front of a large crowd neither team created any real chances early on with two half efforts from Shildon’s Ben Wood and then Norton’s Kyle Diskin firing over the bar.

On 38 minutes Norton’s first shot on target resulted in a goal when Shildon’s defender Carl Jones unfortunately slipped letting in No 9 Lee Cropper who fired into the bottom corner.

Just before the break Shildon had the ball in the back of the net but the referee judged goal scorer Lee Scroggins to be off side. Viewing the video recording later confirmed the officials had made a mistake and the goal should have counted.

Half Time:  Shildon AFC  0  Norton United  1

Early in the 2nd half on 53 minutes Shildon gave themselves an uphill battle going 2 – 0 down when Tom Winkle found Kyle Diskin who fired a cracking shot into the top corner.

Shildon pulled a goal back on 73 minutes when Paul Connor thumped the ball home.

Norton were time wasting as the Railwaymen piled on the pressure looking for the equalizer. Mark Hudson, Chris Emms and Carl Jones all failed to get the important goal to take the game into extra time. Even keeper Kyle Hayes came up for a corner in the last minute, but alas, Norton held out as the final whistle blew and Shildon’s dream was over.

Had the Railwaymen won the game they would have played Gateshead at Dean Street and the match would have been televised to a national audience.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  1  Norton United  2

Goalscorer:  Connor 73.

Bookings:  (Y) Scroggins 84

Subs: Rae for Wood 56, Richardson for Brackstone 56, Emms for Doninger 72.

Man-of-the-Match:  Paul Connor

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “I am disappointed that we didn’t go through. The off side goal killed us. I’ve watched it on video and Lee came from an onside position and shouldn’t have been flagged off side. As well as the disallowed goal, we had some great chances. Their keeper pulled off three great saves. The lads did tremendously well and they kept going right to the end. We’re disappointed but we have to move on and now do well in the Vase and the League. We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves, because that will play straight into the hands of Colne who we play on Saturday in the Vase”.