Loan Signing: Jack Blackford signs on loan with thanks to @Official_HUFC #ShildonAFC

The FA have this afternoon confirmed that Jack Blackford has joined from Hartlepool United on loan. He can play on either flank and is blessed with pace and trickery.

Jack has previously been on loan at both Whitby and Darlington and has had a trial with Man City and Aston Villa have also been linked with a move for him.

The 19-Year-old was also named by Rangers in their youth squad for the Hong Kong sevens back in May this year. The HKSS tournament featured the likes of West Ham, Leicester, Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen.

Jack will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s Ebac Northern League Division One game against Guisborough Town.

ENL1 Result : Shildon 3 Bishop Auckland 2

Billy Greulich-Smith scored a hat-trick to get Shildon back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over local rivals Bishop Auckland.

Midway through the first half Billy Greulich-Smith scored the only goal of the half when he headed in a Jamie Harwood cross.

3 minutes into the second half Andrew Johnson scored to bring the scores level and then scored again in the 69th minute to give Bishop the lead. In the 78th minute, Billy scored his second to level and then a couple of minutes later completed his hat-trick and the scoring to make the final score 3-2.

FA Cup 4QR: Guiseley 6 Shildon 0

Shildon went out of the FA Cup with a 6-0 defeat at Guiseley.

An even first half ended 0-0 with Shildon creating the best chance when Harwood found Lewis Dodds free in the box, but his shot was saved by the Guiseley keeper. Shildon’s defence was outstanding in the first half holding out well against a side looking to get the ball launched forward at every opportunity.

In the second half  Guiseley scored 3 in the first 15 minutes through Fondop, Holden and a penalty from Rooney which Kyle May sent off for conceding. 3 Further goals, 2 from Hatfield and Fondop’s second made the final score 6-0.

Shildon can hold their heads high for a cup run that started back on the 5th August

5th August – EP – Morpeth (H) – 2-0
18th August – P – Guisborough Town (A) – 5-1
2nd September – 1QR – Bottesford (A) – 1-0
16th September – 2QR – Altrincham (H) – 1-0
30th September – 3QR – Banbury Utd (A) – 3-2
14th October – 4QR – Guiseley (A) – 0-6

Special message from Ray Gowan, former Shildon AFC manager #EmiratesFACup

Former Shildon AFC manager Ray Gowan has emailed in and even though he will be 6,000 miles away will be glued to any form of media he can get hold of.

He said

“I was Manager the last time Shildon reached the FA Cup First Round (it was the last time that ANY Northern League club went that far as well) and although I am 6000 miles away I will be following every kick and keeping my fingers crossed that it happens again on Saturday. It’s a tough draw against a Conference side on their ground but they have been struggling this season and will be under great pressure as favorites. We have a great chance of making an impact and I sincerely hope that the feat of some 13 years ago can be repeated. It’s a beautiful ground with a good surface which will suit our style and the whole of the Cape Town branch of the Supporters Club will be rooting for the lads. Come on The Railway Men!”

following on with

“One of my very best South African mates called Laurie Snyman who has never even been close to an airplane, let alone England, went out and bought a red and white scarf yesterday. That’s how excited we all are here.

There are two very good omens, although Guiseley have gone on a bit since then, – My Brandon United side of 1983/84 went to Nethermoor Park and won 1-0 in the FA Vase fifth round and my Spennymoor side of 1989/90 also beat them there in the first season that we were in The Northern Counties East League. Let’s make it a hat-trick!”