A Giant Step

Shildon took a giant step towards the Northern League title with a comprehensive 4 – 0 away victory at Morpeth Town on Monday 11^th April, which puts the Railwaymen a massive 22 points clear of the chasing pack.

Manager, Gary Forrest refused to accept the tag of Champions-elect, insisting there is work still to be done, but with the league now mathematically in Shildon’s hands, the fans must surely be daring to believe that this will – at long last – will be their year.

Shildon took the game to their opponents from the first whistle and looked confident and ready for the task ahead. They got off to a perfect start, creating a number of chances before Billy Greulich-Smith lobbed the Morpeth keeper to open the scoring on 15 minutes.

The Railwaymen then had to endure the only spell of significant pressure from the home side with one chance cleared off the line on 17 minutes.

Just after the half hour, the almost unplayable Billy fought off Jordan Fry to race into the box, only for his opponent to bring him down. Anthony Bell stepped up and converted the penalty with confident ease.

On 43 minutes, Morpeth were reduced to ten men when Michael Hall received his second yellow card for another foul on Billy.

Half Time:  Morpeth Town  0  Shildon AFC  2

Within three minutes of the restart Jonathan Davis side footed home a Michael Rae pass for 3 – 0

Just before the hour it was 4 – 0 when Billy again profited, this time from a strong tackle which saw the ball fly into his path allowing him time to slot home past a helpless Karl Dryden.

It was one way traffic for the whole of the 2^nd half with Shildon passing the ball around at leisure with Morpeth penned back in their own half and not able to get a single shot on goal.

Final Score:  Morpeth Town  0  Shildon AFC  4

Goalscrorers:  Greulich-Smith 15, 56, Bell 34, Davis 48.

Subs: Ellison for Davis 63, Wood for Rae 66, Connor for Bell 68

Bookings: (Y)  Bell 58.

Man-of-the-Match:  Billy Greulich-Smith

After the game manager Gary Forrest said: “I thought we dominated the play from the kick off, playing some great football. We were worthy winners”.