Ebac Northern League Division One, Saturday 9th November 2013
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Ebac Northern League Division One, Saturday 9th November 2013
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Extended highlights of the Railwaymen’s Ebac Northern League Division One clash with Billingham Synthonia on Saturday 9 November:
Ten-man Shildon returned to the top of the league tonight after a hard fought draw at Dean Street against Whitley Bay.
New signing, Craig Ruddy was in the starting line up while Lee Kerr, who also signed yesterday from league rivals, Spennymoor Town, started the match on the bench.
Shildon took the lead in the eighth minute with a wonder goal from Ben Wood, who unleashed an unstoppable shot from 25 yards.
But the match turned when referee, Paul Newhouse adjudged that Jamie Harwood’s brush against Alex Kempster was worthy of a penalty – a decision the Shildon defender felt was harsh.
However, having awarded the spot kick, the official was left with no option but to issue a red card to the last defender and force the Railway to survive the remainder of the match one player short of their opponents.
Paul Chow confidently dispatched the penalty past Keith Finch, who continues to stand in for the injured Lewis Graham.
Shildon did survive. Indeed, at no time did they come under particularly heavy pressure, bar a frenetic final few moments, as the well-earned point loomed large.
Lee Kerr made his debut, replacing Ben Wood in the second half, but the prolific scorer was unable to make an impact with the Railwaymen wisely unwilling to commit recklessly forward.
In the end, the point ensured the Railwaymen returned to the top of the division.
Next up for Shildon is Ashington, who visit on Friday night for the Railwaymen’s sixth league match in a row at Dean Street. A win will almost certainly secure top spot for another weekend.
Shildon AFC has announced the signings of both Craig Ruddy and Lee Kerr from Spennymoor Town.
‘We are really excited to have managed to bring both these players on board,” said Shildon Manager, Gary Forrest.
“Craig Ruddy has been a great servant to Spennymoor Football Club and we hope he can deliver similar performances at Shildon.
“It is a case of third time lucky with Craig who, in my opinion, is one of the most exciting attacking players in the league.
“The thought of Lee Kerr actually signing for Shildon is amazing,” added Forrest. “Lee has probably been the league’s most talented player over the last 10 years and he is still only 26.
“It was only a few years ago that the level of his performances attracted serious attention from Newcastle.” he added.
Both players go in to the squad for tomorrow night’s fixture at home to Whitley Bay.