Another Step Closer

Shildon AFC moved another step closer to the Northern League title with a 3-1 win over Penrith at Dean Street on Saturday 16th April 2016.

Postponements for both Marske and Morpeth mean Shildon are now 25 points clear of the reigning champions in second place and 26 clear of the FA Vase finalists in third.

The Railwaymen now need a maximum of 11 points from their last six matches to be mathematically certain of clinching the title while any dropped points by their opponents could bring the day of destiny even sooner.

Shildon opened the scoring on 14 minutes when a poor clearance from near the byline by Penrith keeper, Aaron Taylor landed at Billy Greulich-Smith feet and the quick-thinking striker returned the ball first time from 35 yards into an open net.

Penrith,  should have equalised on 21 minutes after a mistake by Kyle Hayes but Kevin Connelly, having done the hard work of rounding the keeper, found the side netting with the goal gaping.

Just over ten minutes later, after a sweeping move, Mickey Rae found Lewis Wing on the corner of the six yard area and the midfielder made no mistake, thumping the ball past the keeper at his near post.

Half Time:  Shildon AFC  2  Penrith  0

Just before the hour Ben Wood could have scored but his attempted lob was saved by keeper Aaron  Taylor.

Three minutes later Ben  was free again and running in on goal, this time he learned from his first effort and side footed to Anthony Bell who slotted into the empty goal.

Three minutes from time, Bell turned from hero to villain when a loose pass back was intercepted by Connelly who lobbed over the onrushing Kyle Hayes to give the visiting fans some consolation cheer for their long journey home across the Pennines.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  3  Penrith  1

Goalscorers:  Greulich-Smith 14, Wing 26, Bell 61.

Subs:  Wood for Greulich-Smith 56, Davis for Dodds 63, Connor for Rae 65.

Man-of-the-Match:  Lewis Wing

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “Credit should go to all the volunteers who worked very hard on the pitch from early Saturday morning to get it ready. They cleared a huge amount of water to make the pitch playable. It was important that we were able to play today because it extended our advantage at the top by even more, and means that we are a step nearer the title”.