Tag: Ben Wood

Gary Forrest interview: Shildon v Consett DCC SF

Shildon manager, Gary Forrest reflects on tonight’s Durham Challenge Cup semi final win over Consett.

The victory means Shildon will play in their first cup final since 2007 with local rivals, Spennymoor Town the opponents.

The final will be played on Good Friday, 18 April, at the Eppleton Colliery Football Ground, Hetton Le Hole.

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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.

Shildon back on top after win at Consett

Shildon returned to the top of the Northern League Division One table on Saturday after a 2-0 win at Consett’s new Belle Vue Stadium.

Paul Connor, who could have had a hat trick, opened the scoring early in the second half and the tie was put beyond the home side when Ben Wood scored with 15 minutes to play.

Consett started the brighter on their new artificial surface, using the conditions as well as their knowledge of the pitch to take the game to the Railwaymen.

Shildon, on the other hand, struggled with the stiff and freezing wind blowing into their faces.

All the same, Consett were limited to shots form distance and failed to trouble Lewis Graham in the Shildon goal.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Railwaymen eventually warmed to the task, finding their feet and their way towards the Consett goal. A through ball to Paul Connor provided the best chance of the half and with just the goalkeeper to beat, it seemed a certainty Shildon would enter the break with the lead. But somehow, the top scorer lost his composure and blazed the chance over the bar.

The end to the first half hinted that the visitors, with the icy wind at their backs, might respond more positively in the second half, and it took just five minutes for Connor to atone for his earlier miss.

Jamie Harwood collected the ball in his own half and strode forward before feeding Mark Hudson. The captain twisted inside the box and squared to Connor who this time kept his composure to deftly chip the ball over the keeper and into the corner.

The goal forced the hosts to push players forward and Shildon should have taken better advantage of the chances they created on the break. Lewis Graham was also forced to participate in the game and saved the visitors on a couple of occasions.

But it was Connor who was again presented with a great opportunity to double Shildon’s lead. Put through by Jamie Harwood with a long ball over the Consett midfield, he again found himself bearing down on Elliot’s goal and had perhaps too much time to think about his finish. Consequently, the keeper was able to touch the ball away from him as he tried to round him and the chance was lost.

While the fans remained aware that a one goal gap was a vulnerable lead, so were the players, but unlike the nervous fans, they continued to take the game to their hosts and with just 15 minutes remaining, they were rewarded for their endeavour.

A long throw down the wing found Sam Garvie, who glanced up and crossed to Ben Wood in space in the box. The striker controlled the ball with his first touch before smashing an unstoppable shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

It was a dominant second half display by the visitors who deservedly returned home with the three points.

And with news filtering through that the league leaders had fallen to a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle Benfield, Shildon will once again spend the weekend at the top of the table.