Coaches for the Durham Challenge Cup Final at The Stadium of Light will be leaving from Dean Street at 17:30 on Friday 3rd May.
Please note that the buses are fully booked.
Prices for Non Season ticket holders / Sponsors or Supporters Club members will be £5 Adult , £3 Concession.
Saturday 13th April 2019, Kick-off 3pm
Shildon looking to finish strong in the build up to the Durham Challenge Cup final
by Ash Brighton
Shildon bring their league fixtures to a close as they travel to Whitley Bay this Saturday in the Ebac Northern League Division 1.
The railway men will be looking to follow up the two team’s last meeting back in March, a 2-2 draw, with a win as they bring the curtain down on another league season.
While manager Daniel Moore is aware some eyes may well be shifting towards the big day at the Stadium of Light in May, he’s challenged the side to maintain their high standards since the festive period.
“The coming weeks are about keeping the standards and professionalism that the players have set themselves.”
“Since Christmas we have been one of the form teams in the league and we are looking to finish on a high which could possibly see us finish in the top 6.”
However, the manager is more than aware of what tomorrow’s game represents and does have May’s cup final in the background of his mind.
“Tomorrow will be good for me to see who is mentally ready for the last games.”
Shildon’s last result saw them draw 1-1 with local rivals Bishop Auckland in a fiercely contested matchup but will be looking for an ever better result against a mid-table Whitley Bay side.
Points shared in feisty derby by Josh Hart
Shildon’s final home game of the season ended all square, following a feisty encounter with rivals Bishop Auckland.
In what proved to be a scrappy game, Daniel Moores men edged a cagey first half and even led at the break thanks to a fine strike from number 10 Billy Greulich-Smith in the 19th minute.
Prior to the goal, the Railwaymen were applying pressure to Bishop Auckland, who started the game slow.
Bishop Auckland did respond early in the second half however, equalising via a Hoganson free kick into the bottom right hand corner after just 3 minuted played.
The remainder of the second half saw Shildon dominate a large proportion of the possession in Bishop Aucklands half, whilst the away side attempted to counter down the left flank whenever possible.
The home side also created many set piece opportunities, drawing fouls from the Bishop Auckland back line and midfield, particularly in the middle third of the pitch.
However, the biggest chance of the second half did fall to the away side, with Bishop Auckland failing to take the opportunity gifted to them by the Shildon keeper.
Speaking after the game manager Daniel Moore stated: ‘’I think we probably shaded it first half and they had a couple of chances second half, so on the whole probably a fair result’’
The result now leaves Shildon in 7th place, one point behind 6th placed Stockton Town.
Attendance: 384
Railwaymen looking to bounce back with huge derby win
by Ash Brighton
Shildon will welcome local rival’s Bishop Auckland to Dean street this Saturday with bragging rights on the line.
Assistant manager Mark Hudson, is optimistic about the team’s chances heading into Saturdays match, saying “the players are full of confidence at the minute”.
“It’s a local derby, we want to see plenty of passion, aggression and most importantly discipline.”
The hosts will be buoyed by the return of captain Ben Trotter after serving his 2 match suspension, a game the local lad will surely be looking forward too.
However, the Railwaymen will still be without forward Zac Atkinson still to complete the remainder of his ban thanks to a red card against Whitley Bay back in March.
Daniel Moore will be making his last appearance, after taking the difficult decision to retire in order to focus on his managerial role after his dismissal mid-week in the 2-1 defeat to Hebburn town.
A match which saw Shildon go down to 10 men and concede the winning goal deep into injury time in the second half.
But assistant Mark Hudson thinks there were still many positives taken out of the bittersweet result.
He said, “The players were fantastic Tuesday night, felt for them with the result but I’d go as far as to saying that was our best performance since I’ve been here in over nearly 2 years.”
Shildon currently sit in 7th place with a win possibly firing them as high as 5th at the end of the weekend
The Club announces that Daniel Moore will officially retire from playing after our game against Bishop Auckland on Saturday. Moore who has won the League, League Cup and Durham Challenge Cup in his second spell at the Club has been an outstanding servant to Shildon AFC, amassing over 400 games for the Club.
David Dent said “Daniel’s retirement from playing represents the end of an era for the Club but the start of an exciting new chapter for both the Club and Daniel. This will allow him to concentrate on being a Manager as we enter into a new season and our push for promotion. This is a big job and to fulfill the demands he cannot do both roles. His future at the Club rests very much in being our Manager ”
Daniel said ” It’s time….
I have been thinking and talking about it for the last few months and the Chairman has been very supportive regarding this. My heart says I’m 21 however my body and brain tell me otherwise. In addition to that I’ve now player – managed for 2/3 seasons and that brings its own challenges on and off the pitch. This is not the end for me, it is just the beginning. With the experience I have gained over the last few seasons I’m ready to focus all my energy on managing this great group of players I have assembled and look to gain promotion next season. I have had some amazing memories playing football and now I’m ready to make more as a Manager. “
Shildon remain in 7th place of the Ebac Northern League after a 4-0 victory away to Whickham
Billy Greluich-Smith gave Shildon the perfect start nodding in a far post header with only 4 minutes on the clock.
Shildon had 2 or 3 opportunities to extend their lead but the half ended 1-0.
Billy also had a hand in the second goal when he was fouled in the penalty area. Harrison Scott was then sent off for the foul and Nathan Steel stepped up to extend the lead sending the keeper the wrong way.
Nathan Steel added his second and Shildon’s third 10 minutes later after great work from Captain for the day Aidan Heywood.
In the 92nd minute Ben Reay chipped the keeper to make it 4-0
FT Whickham 0 Shildon 4
Attendance 97
Shildon look to extend unbeaten run at Whickham.
by Josh Hart
Following a 1-0 win at home to North Shields last time out, Shildon will be confident of again securing all three points, as they take on a struggling Whickham side this weekend.
Manager Daniel Moore is not allowing for complacency however, with the boss urging the players to work hard for another clean sheet.
Moore also stated that his players must improve in the final third, and take the chances created when on top.
New signing Jack Vaulks will hope to help Shildon achieve their target of back to back clean sheets, as the former Pickering Town man looks set to make his debut for the club.
The 19 year old defender himself, has been described as calm, and someone who goes about their job with confidence.
Shildon will, however, be without captain Ben Trotter and forward Zak Atkinson, who will miss Saturdays game through suspension.
A 2-1 win for Shildon when the sides met back in September, will give the away side confidence that they can replicate the result, and secure a league double over Robin Falcus’ side.
Another 3 points for Shildon would see them the put pressure on Stockton Town, who currently sit one place above the Railwaymen in sixth.
Shildon are pleased to welcome Jack Vaulks to Dean Street
The 19 year old Defender has played 21 times this season with Evo-Stik East League Pickering Town while on loan from Darlington
Jack has also previously played for Esh Winning and has represented Durham County Under 18’s. He is a calm defender who goes about his job with confidence and gives confidence to the defenders around him.
Shildon manager Daniel Moore speaking to the website said ” Jack is another young hungry prospect to join the club. He has a desire to progress up the pyramid and as a club that is our aim so it is a great fit.For a young age to have played the amount of games he has, in leagues above the Northern League, is brilliant and I believe he will be a great signing for us in our push for promotion next season.”
We would like to thank both Pickering and Darlington for their help with the transfer.
Welcome to the Club Jack.
Railway Men extend unbeaten run of form
Shildon continued their unbeaten form as they cruised home to a comfortable 1-0 victory over a dogged North Shields.
The home supporters had to wait until the 56th minute for the lone goal of the contest as hometown boy Ben Trotter, slotted home a lovely curling strike from the left edge of the North Shields box to find the far corner.
It could well have been two though as the Railway Men had a goal disallowed only moments before as forward Billy Greulich-Smith found himself free in the box, burying the chance only to be ruled out for offside.
The home side were by far the better of the two all match long, as North Shields struggled to make inroads into Shildon’s half for most of the game.
An opinion shared by manager Daniel Moore at full time who said, “We stayed switched on, I think we dominated the game from start to finish”.
“I love a 1-0, clean sheet, but I said at half time just keep plugging away and it will come, and it was a great finish from Ben”.
The result now sees Shildon leap frog North Shields up into 7th still with a game in hand and manager Moore is looking for the team to use Saturday’s result as a benchmark for the remainder of the season and beyond.
“I said to them a few weeks back to finish unbeaten”.
“We go above them now, so the aim is to finish as high as possible and get into good habits looking forward to next season”.
Shildon’s attention will now switch to a trip to Whickham next Saturday in search of another three points and maintaining that unbeaten record.
Attendance: 292