Shildon knocked out in Semi-Final.

Current holders Shildon AFC were knocked out in the semi-final of the League Cup at Dean Street against South Shields on Saturday 22nd March 2017 going down 4- 1.

Shildon got off  to a flyer scoring after just 5 minutes when Mickly Rae rounded the keeper and slotted home.

On 11 minutes Shields were awarded a very dubious penalty when captain Jamie Harwood got a straight red for a foul in the box. The only person who thought it was a penalty was the referee as clearly Jamie Harwood got the ball. This was Harwood’s second dismissal against Shields this season, having suffered the same fate in the league game in October.

Carl Finnigan converted the spot kick for 1 – 1.

There was little else of note in the first half apart from a Iulian Petrache free kick which shot over the bar.

Half Time:  Shildon AFC  1  South Shields  1

With the man advantage Shields improved after the break and took the lead on 52 minutes with new signing Jordan Blinco firing into the roof of the net from a goalmouth scramble.

Shortly after Shildon’s Micky Rae was through but fired straight at the keeper.

Ten men Shildon were getting stretched and Nick Liversedge was called upon with two superb saves from Petrache and Blinco.

Blinco made the result safe on 76 minutes firing home from the edge of the box.

Near the end a cross from Wayne Phillips on the left was coolly headed into the bottom corner by Carl Finnigan for his second goal of the game.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  1  South Shields  4

Goalscorer:   Rae  5.

Subs:  Purewal for Greulich-Smith 76, Parker for Rae 80.

Bookings: (R) Harwood 11, (Y) Dodds 36, Groves 43.

Man-of-the-Match:  Marc Ellison

The result could have been so different had the referee not produced a red card so early in the game. Once down to 10 men Shildon’s complexion of the match changed dramatically, not able to play their normal game.