A Step Closer

Shildon AFC stepped closer to the Northern League title after a very comfortable 6 – 1 away win at Bedlington Terriers on Tuesday 26th April 2016.

The kick off was greeted by a thunderous hail storm in what seemed a timely celestial reinforcement of the Shildon players’ icy determination to put last season’s heartache behind them.

And as the hail fell, so too the goals rained in with the Railwaymen racing to a 5-0 half time lead.

Billy Greulich-Smith opened the scoring after an initial shot rebounded off the post, and the sriker was there to convert and settle any nerves.

A second soon followed when Anthony Bell prodded home, followed by a Ben Wood double to put Shildon four up within the opening 26 minutes. Bell  was then on hand to whip home a direct free kick on 45 minutes.

Half Time:  Bedlington Terriers  0  Shildon AFC  5

Shildon rested Billy and Sam Hodgson at the beginning of the second half and withdrew Anthony Bell shortly afterwards in what soon became a training match as the players conserved their energy for two huge games to come this week: on Thursday against Newton Aycliffe and the League Cup semi final against North Shields on Saturday.

Midway through the half, Mark Doninger added a sixth before the Terriers scored a goal of little consolation late in the game.

Shildon now need six points from their final four matches to be guaranteed the title.

Final Score:  Bedlington Terriers  1  Shildon AFC  6

Goalscorers:  Greulich-Smith 10, Bell 19, 45, Wood 23, 26, Doinger 68.

Subs:  Connor for Greulich-Smith 46, Ellison for Hodgson 46, Doninger for Bell

Man-of-the-Match:  Carl Jones