Shildon into DCC semi finals

Defender Carl Jones blasted Shildon into the semi finals of the Durham Challenge Cup with his first goal of the season in another dramatic extra time win for the Railwaymen.

The home side came from a goal behind at half time to march on in the cup where they will host Consett at Dean Street for a place in the final. Shildon, who were knocked out at the semi-final stage last season by FA Vase winners, Spennymoor Town, last won the tournament in 1972.

On a heavy, bumpy surface, it was the visitors who took the lead when Bulford converted after replacement goalkeeper, Keith Finch’s tipped save onto the bar rebounded kindly for the Dunston player, who had the simple task of converting from six yards. Finch was deputising for Lewis Graham, who is serving a two match suspension after his red card at Celtic Nation.

After the break, Shildon took the game to the opposition and were rewarded for their persistence when Mark Hudson found Sam Garvie with a neatly lobbed through ball on 65 minutes, the striker finishing well first time from the edge of the box.

The game flowed from end to end with both sides having chances to win the tie before the extra time period, but neither could find the decisive goal.

And so it was a third extra time period in the Railwaymen’s three rounds of the Durham Challenge Cup so far this season. Both sides continued to press, but it was the home side who made the breakthrough in the 100th minute. A shot from distance by captain, Mark Hudson was tipped away for a corner, which was taken quickly. Ben Wood turned his marker on the by line before sending over a ball which defender Carl Jones swept emphatically home.

But there remained time for controversy when Darren Richardson, who had been booked earlier in the game, was shown his second yellow card on the stroke of half time in extra time. The defender appeared to have eyes only for the ball, but the referee sent him from the field after his high boot connected with his opponent. Shildon Assistant Manager, Stuart Niven was also sent from the dugout for remonstrating with the referee.

The Railwaymen were forced to play the final period of extra time with ten men – the third match in a row in which they have ended the game with reduced numbers – but the ten men held on for a hard fought win.

Shildon will now face Consett at Dean Street for a place in the final, with West Auckland and Spennymoor contesting the other semi final.

Fixture reversed

Shildon can confirm that the cub has agreed with Dunston and the Durham FA to reverse the Durham Challenge Cup quarter final tie, originally scheduled to take place at Dean Street, after two attempts to play the match ended with postponements as a result of a waterlogged pitch.

The match has now been rescheduled to take place on Tuesday evening (11th February) at the UTS Stadium in Dunston, with kick off due at 7.30pm. The tie remains at the mercy of the weather and updates regarding any potential third postponement will be announced if necessary.

For the fastest news on postponements, follow the club on twitter.

Meanwhile, the draw for the semi-finals has taken place and the winners of this tie have been rewarded with a home draw.

The complete draw is:

Shildon or Dunston v Consett
West Auckland v Spennymoor Town

Shildon AFC v Spennymoor Town

Highlights of Shildon’s top of the table clash with Spennymoor Town at Dean Street on Saturday 8 February 2014. Shildon took a 1-0 lead into the half time break after Mark Hudson’s opener, but eventually accepted a 1-1 draw after being reduced to ten men on 70 minutes and conceding an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining. But the Railwaymen held on for a deserved draw to remain second in the league table.

Pressure on opponents says gaffer

Gary Forrest has been talking about the Railwaymen’s upcoming league matches against two of their title rivals, and the pressure is on the opposition, he says.

“On Saturday we visit Celtic Nation for the first of two back to back games against sides challenging us for the league title,” says the Shildon manager.

“If I’m honest all the pressure is on Celtic Nation for this game. They are the team that everyone expects big things of. They are by far the strongest team in the league on paper and, more importantly, if they lose this game they will trail us by 5 points and we will have two games in hand, and that lead could therefore extend to about 9-10 points with Nation having just 12 games remaining.

“If we averaged the same amount of points in our final 12 games as we have for the season to date it would mean that they will have to win every game until the season finishes.

Gary added that the squad is in good spirits, insisting that the league title is the club’s primary aim.

“Our attitude is superb at the minute and I love these big games: it is what the game is all about. There is a great buzz about the place at the minute and the quality of our training is superb.

“I have said since the start of pre-season – despite what the nonleaguezone [online forum] experts claim – that our main objective is to try and win the league this season.

Gary says that the challenge is so great this season that winning the league will be a special achievement for whoever lifts the trophy.

“This is the strongest the league has been for many a season,” he says. “Over the last few years either Spennymoor have dominated or it has been a two horse race. This season there are four fantastic teams challenging for the title and that means there will be 12 games this season that can be classed as six pointers. Last season there were two, but there is more of an equilibrium of budgets this season, with all four sides having strength in depth.

“We have all witnessed West’s demolition of teams two levels higher in the pyramid and Celtic Nation are signing experienced, established players on loan from the likes of Bristol Rovers. I think it is fair to say that any one of the top four would be more than capable of competing at least two levels higher up the pyramid; and it is for the reasons above that I personally believe that this is the most difficult season for many a year to become league champions.

“Whoever comes out on top can proudly boast of a fabulous achievement.”