Shildon Maintain their Winning Start

Shildon AFC maintained their 100% record in the league after coming back from two goals down to beat Sunderland RCA 6 – 4 at Meadow Lane on Saturday 29th August 2015. The Railwaymen hadn’t conceded a single goal, but it was a different story today as the defence were all over the place.

Shildon couldn’t have got off to a worse start in this ten goal thriller. On 21 minutes Gary Brown let Callum Hope through and he beat Shildon keeper Lewis Graham. Five minutes later a cross from the right found Joseph Hughes unmarked for a free header and 2 – 0 to the home side, quite justified as Shildon hadn’t had one single shot.

Just before the half hour Shildon were given a lifeline when a long ball from Gary Brown dropped through the keepers arms and Paul Connor pounced from close range. Minutes later the keeper dropped another clanger when he flapped the ball straight to Mark Doninger who scored from 10 yards. Shildon were rather fortunate to go in all square at the break.

Half Time:  Sunderland RCA  2  Shildon AFC  2

The Railwaymen were rampant in the 2nd half scoring twice straight from the kick off. A Micky Rae cross was headed in by Mark Doninger, then  Billy Greulich-Smith had an easy tap in from Kyle Fryatt for 4 – 2.

More slack defending by Shildon let RCA back into the game when a long ball was not cut out and Davis made it 4 – 3.

On 68 minutes Shildon’s Kyle Fryatt scored the goal of the match with a fantastic run across the box beating three defenders.

Billy Greulich-Smith got his second  with a header on the back post.

On 86 minutes RCA were awarded a  dubious penalty for a push by Gary Brown but the spot kick was fired well over the bar.

Two minutes later more slack defending gave Michael Charlton a free header for RCA’s fourth goal.

Shildon will be thankful that a day of poor defending was rescued by six goals at the other end and hopefully  will learn lessons at the back before they take on Morpeth Town on Monday.

Final Score:  Sunderland RCA  4  ShildonAFC  6

Goalscorers:  Connor 29, Doninger 32, 46, Greulich-Smith 48, 70, Fryatt 68.

Subs:  Greulich-Smith for Robson 11, Rae for Conner 36.

Man-of-the-Match:  Kyle Fryatt