Tag: league cup

Northern League Cup Final Result

Match Report taken from Shildon AFC Facebook Page

 

LEAGUE CUP FINAL: SHILDON 2-0 NEWTON AYCLIFFE

Shildon collected their second trophy of the season tonight after two Billy Greulich-Smith goals won the Railwaymen the Northern League Cup to add to the Durham Challenge Cup won last month.

The match had been in danger of postponement after poor weather overnight flooded the Heritage Park pitch, but sterling work by the Bishop Auckland ground staff ensured the game got the go ahead.

The final was, however, tinged with sadness as the Shildon players entered the field wearing black armbands in tribute to top goalscorer, Paul Connor’s father, who tragically passed away earlier in the day. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Paul and all his family at this sad time for them.

The first half, while competitive, was mainly uneventful, with the best chance falling to Shildon captain Mark Hudson, but he skewed his shot wide from 12 yards.

The Railwaymen dominated possession throughout with Newton Aycliffe playing a counter attacking game. It was therefore vital for Shildon to score the opening goal and with just six minutes of the second half played, their dominance finally payed off.

Shildon worked the ball wide, as they had throughout the game, this time to Chris Emms who twisted his defender inside and out before sending over a cross for Greulich-Smith to power high into the roof of the net.

The goal forced Newton Aycliffe to play a more open game, and they almost levelled immediately but for an excellent save from Lewis Graham. However, it also allowed Shildon more space in which to work and just after the hour, they doubled their lead.

A Shildon corner was headed away for a throw on the opposite side of the pitch. The ball broke to Harwood whose cross was only half cleared. The resulting pass found Billy who curled an unstoppable shot around a defender for his second of the game to double Shildon’s lead.

It was the tall striker’s fifth goal in three cup final appearances over the past two seasons and ensured the Railwaymen would finish their 125th anniversary season on a high after the final day disappointment in the league.

So Shildon end a tremendously successful season as Double domestic cup winners after an extended FA Cup run and finishing runners up in the league.

The side will now open next season with a Cleator Cup appearance against Marske United and a chance to add further silverware to a cramped clubhouse bar!

Congratulations go to Gary Forrest and his management team as well as the players, the committee and every volunteer at the club for bringing sustained success to the club over the course of the season.

Bring on August!

Team

1) Lewis Graham
2) Jamie Harwood
3) John Brackstone
4) Bobby Moore
5) Liam atkin
6) Mark Hudson
7) Lee Scroggins
8) Sam Hodgson
9) Billy Greulich-Smith
10) Ben Wood
11) Chris Emms

Subs

12) Darren Richardson on for Wood
14) Adam Rundle
15) Carl Jones
16) Mark Doninger on for Hudson
17) Lee Chapman on for Greulich-Smith

Goals

Greulich-Smith 2

Man-of-The-Match

League Cup Final – Newton Aycliffe Preview

aycliffe

Venue

Bishop Auckland FC
Heritage Park
Stadium Way
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 9AE

Match Day

5th May 2015
Kick Off: 19:00

Admission Prices
Adults £ 5.00
Concessions £ 3.00
Under 14’s Free

How Newton Aycliffe got to the final

2nd Round) Newton Aycliffe 3 Hebburn Town 1 AET
3rd Round) Newton Aycliffe 4 Marske United 1
Quarter Final) Washington 1 Newton Aycliffe 2
Semi Final) Ashington 3 Newton Aycliffe 1 (Ashington played ineligible player)

Last Match Played
11th April 2015 – ENL 1
Ashington 1 Newton Aycliffe 2

Facts
Founded: 1965
Nickname:
Record Attendance: 1,032 v Darlington 1883, 8th December 2012
Joined Northern League: 2009-10
Home Colours: Blue shirt, shorts and socks
Away Colours:
Website: http://www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/NAycliffeFC
Facebook: 

 

League Cup Semi Final Result – Dunston UTS

Shildon AFC Reached Their Second Cup Final

Shildon AFC reached their second cup final of the season with a hard fought 1 – 0 away victory to Dunston UTS on Tuesday 7th April 2015 in the semi-final of the Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup.

The Railwaymen had the edge of a non eventful first half, before they broke through just 3 minutes into the second half when a left foot shot from outside the box from Mark Doninger hit the post and rebounded off the keeper into the net.

After Shildon’s keeper Lewis Graham saved from captain Dave Coulson and Carl Jones blocked brilliantly from Lee McAndrews, Shildon nearly made it 2 – 0 with a Billy Greulich-Smith header going just wide.

Dunston pressed forward for the equaliser but Shildon held on with Lewis Graham punching over a shot from Dale Burrell in the last minute.

Final Score:  Dunston UTS  0  Shildon AFC  1

Goalscorer:  Doninger 48.

Subs: Richmond for Wood 39, Rundle for Hudson 88

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “The character and the attitude of the players tonight was first class. Considering how many players were missing through injury, this was a great result. Our only subs were Adam Rundle, Jack Taylor, Danny Richmond, who hasn’t kick a ball for months and Keith Finch. The team did us proud”.

Team

1) Lewis Graham
2) Jamie Harwood
3) Liam Atkin
4) Daniel Moore
5) Darren Craddock
6) Carl Jones
7) Mark Hudson
8) Sam Hodgson
9) Billy Greulich-Smith
10) Ben Wood
11) Mark Doninger

Subs

12) Adam Rundle on for Hudson
14) Jack Taylor
15) Daniel Richmond on for Wood
16) Keith Finch

Goal

Own Goal

Bookings

None

Man-of-The-Match

League Cup Semi Final – Dunston UTS Preview

dunston

Venue

The UTS Stadium
Wellington Road
Dunston
Gateshead
Tyne & Wear
NE11 9JL

Match Day

7th April 2015
Kick Off: 19:30

Admission Prices
Adult – £ 5.00
Concession – £ 2.50

Current League Position –  6th ENL2
P 38  W 22  D 6  L 10  F 69  A 46  Pts 72

Last Match Played
4th April 2015
Dunston UTS 1 Morpeth Town 3

Last Time We Met
1st April 2015
Shildon 0 Dunston UTS 3

How Dunston got to the Semi Final

1st Round
Dunston UTS 2 Consett 1

2nd Round
Dunston UTS 2 Sunderland RCA 0

3rd Round
Dunston UTS 4 Stokesley Sports Club 2

Quarter Final
Dunston UTS 3 Penrith 2 (AET)

Facts

Founded: 1975
Nickname:
Record Attendance: 1,550, Sunderland Shipowners Cup Final 1/4/1988
Joined Northern League: 1991-92
Home Colours: Blue with white trim shirt, blue shorts and socks
Away Colours: 
Website: http://www.dunston-uts-fc.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/dunstonutsfc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dutsfc/

Club History taken from www.dunston-uts-fc.co.uk

A Brief History
The club first saw the light of day in 1975 as a humble works outfit when former Chairman, John Thompson, with some of his colleagues at HMSO on the Team Valley Trading Estate, decided to form a football team. The club joined the Newcastle City Amateur League and early success inspired the club to progress and a piece of land was leased from Gateshead M.B.C. and the committee began to develop what is now the UTS Stadium.The club were now gaining much success in the Northern Combination and with aspirations to progress further they approached the Federation Brewery to become the club’s main sponsor. With the Federation Brewery as their main sponsor the club joined the Wearside League in 1987 and after another period of success the club felt a need to seek new opportunities and an application was made to join the prestigious Northern League.
The club had now realised one of its main ambitions and entered the National Pyramid of Non League Football. In its second season in the Northern League the club won the Second Division and was promoted to the First Division. Since joining the Northern League the club has won the Second Division, been First Division Champions twice, League Cup winners on five occasions and JR Cleator Cup winners on five occasions. Included in these successes were back to back First Division title winners and League Cup winners in seasons 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. A magnificent achievement.

Champions Div 1 Cup
However the club’s greatest achievement came in the season 2011/2012, when the club won the coveted F.A. Carlsberg Vase. The Final was played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 13th May 2012 againstfellow Northern League side West Auckland Town. Dunston won by two goals to nil.
Winning the Vase was a magnificent achievement and a reward for people who had been in the clubsince its formation in 1975 and also for manager Billy Irwin who had been with the club for fifteen yearsas player, captain, assistant manager and manager. The experience at Wembley is something we shall

never forget.

Season 2007/2008 had seen the club lose the word Brewery from its name as sadly it lost the main sponsor. After a period of 18 years of continuous sponsorship the Federation Brewery was taken over by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries who continued to sponsor the club for a further two seasons and after

a period of twenty years the club had lost its main sponsor and had no association with a brewery. In our

hour of need two new companies became involved with the club to partially compensate for the loss of our main sponsor. Dunston Van and Truck Centre became our home shirt sponsor and Astley Signs became our away shirt sponsor. Both companies are still with us at the present time.

 

Season 2008/2009 a company, UTS Engineering (Utility Technology Services), became involved by sponsoring the player’s travel and training kit and during the close season of 2009/2010 they kindly

agreed to become the club’s principal sponsor.

Northern League Cup
The club name was changed from Dunston Federation F.C. to Dunston UTS F.C., the name of the ground was changed to the UTS Stadium and company owner, Mr. Shaun Sadler became Club President.Over the years the club has always recognised that success on the field must be coupled with success and hard work off the field and the efforts of the people behind the scenes at the UTS Stadium has ensured that the stadium is a credit to the club. Many of the committee of the club have been involved since it was founded in 1975, some as former players and some as management on the playing side.It is a tribute to their commitment and hard work that the club has become one of the most successful in the North East.

 

League Cup Quarter Final Result

Seaham Red Star Hit For Six.

Shildon AFC are through to the semi-final of the Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup after beating Seaham Red Star 6 – 1 at Dean Street on Wednesday 18th March 2015, with all of the 6 goals scored in the 2nd half.

Apart from a Bobby Moore header hitting the bar in the first minute, Shildon didn’t have another shot on target up to the break.

Seaham, who are currently top of the 2nd Division, 10 points clear, with games in hand, took the lead on 28 minutes when a long ball was chested down by No  10 David Palmer who fired past Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes.

Hlaf Time:  Shildon AFC  0  Seaham Red Star  1

It was a game of two halves, with Shildon playing far better after the break . They equalised from the spot on 51 minutes through Lee Scroggins after Ben Wood was brought down in the box by Chris Storey.

Minutes later a scramble in the goalmouth from a Mark Hudson corner resulted in Micky Rae fumbling the ball over the line.

Shildon were in full control and on 68 minutes a Lee Scroggins shot was blocked and Ben Wood fired the rebound into the top right corner for 3 – 1.

Micky Rae got the 4th with his second attempt, and on 85 minutes a class move between Mark Doninger and Jamie Harwood saw Harwood slot the ball past the advancing keeper.

A minute later Harwood put Mark Doninger through for Shildon ‘s 6th goal of the night.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  6  Seaham Red Star  1

Goalscorers:  Sroggins 51, Rae 53, 73, Wood 68, Harwood 85, Doninger 86.

Subs:  Rundle for Wood 75, Doninger for Greulich-Smith 75, Taylor for Hudson 77.

Team

1) Kyle Hayes
2) Jamie Harwood
3) John Brackstone
4) Lee Scroggins
5) Darren Craddock
6) Daniel Moore
7) Mark Hudson
8) Sam Hodgson
9) Michael Rae
10) Ben Wood
11) Billy Greulich-Smith

Subs

12) Paul connor
14) Adam Rundle on for Wood
15) Carl Jones
16) Mark Doninger on for Greulich-Smith
17) Jack Taylor on for Hudson

Goals

Scroggins (Pen), Rae x 2, Wood, Harwood, Doninger

Bookings

Hudson, Harwood

Man-of-The-Match

League Cup – Seaham Red Star Preview

Seaham Red Star FC

Venue

Dean Street
Shildon
County Durham
DL4 1EZ

Match Day

18th March
Kick Off: 19:30

Admission Prices
Adult – £ 6.00
Concession – £ 4.00
Under 12’s free with paying adult

Current League Position –  15th ENL2
P 34  W 17  D 3  L 4  F 112  A 41  Pts 84

Last Match Played
14th March 2015
South Shields 1 Seaham Red Star 2

Road to the Quarter Final

2nd Round – 11th November 2014
Seaham Red Star 6 Whitle Bay 2

3rd Round – 27th January 2015
Seaham Red Star 2 North Shields 1

Facts

Founded: 1973
Nickname: The Star
Record Attendance: 1,500 v Guisborough, Wearside and Sunderland floodlight opener 1979
Joined Northern League: 1983/84
Home Colours: Red and white stripe shirt, red with white flash shorts and red with white turnover socks
Away Colours: 
Website: http://www.seahamredstarfc.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/FCseahamredstar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeahamRedStarFc

Seaham Red Star history taken from seahamredstarfc.com

Seaham Red Star are named after the pub in which they were formed. A Sunday morning side in 1973, they are now widely regarded as one of the Northern League’s leading clubs.

Much of the credit for the Club’s early development belongs to Ralph Pigg, the initial Secretary, and Larry Phillips, the Club’s first Manager. The pair, supported by a small committee, entered a side in the Houghton and District League and, after a promising first season, made a successful application to join the Northern Alliance League in 1974. After a further five fairly successful seasons, the Club felt sufficiently confident to join the then highly competitive Wearside League in 1979. This confidence was soon justified, the Club winning the Durham Challenge Cup in 1980 and the League and League Cup “double” in 1981-82. In 1983, they were elected to the Northern League Second Division and , after some near misses, eventually gained promotion to the First Division in the 1987-88 season.

Bryan Mayhew took over as Chairman of the Club in 1986 and, with able support from  former Secretaries, Harry Hobson and John McBeth and a small hardworking committee – in particular Reg Atkinson, Dave Copeland, Jim Ferguson and John Smith –  the Club enjoyed First Division status for an unbroken fourteen seasons. Notable successes during this period, included finishing third in 1993-4, winning the League Cup in 1992-3 and, after leading the table for most of the season, finishing second in 1999/2000. Mayhew was also a prime mover in getting the League to join the National Pyramid, calling the Special General Meeting of clubs which eventually led to the historic decision being made.

Just two years after finishing runners-up in the First Division, the Club suffered its first ever relegation in its near thirty years history. Even worse was to follow when, as a result of  dwindling committee support, officials took the reluctant step of  tendering the Club’s resignation from the League.

However, following a positive response from a number of local people keen to see the Club continue, a new committee was formed under the chairmanship of John Smith and the resignation was withdrawn.

The Club’s re-introduction to Division 2 at the start of 2002/3 got off to an unpromising start but, after bringing in Neil Hixon as Manager, the Star failed by the narrowest of margins to gain an immediate return to Division 1. Unfortunately for the Club, Neil’s achievements resulted in him being snapped up by Durham City shortly after the start of last season, effectively putting our promotion aspirations on hold for at least another year. However, with experienced Northern League manager Peter Mulcaster steadying the ship, the Club finished in a respectable mid-table position.

Neil Hixon returned as manager in 2005 and along with Stuart Gooden and former Sunderland & Scotish International George Herd put together a side that won promotion back to the First Division in the 2006/07 season. The following season Hixon & Herd moved to Sunderland RCA and Gooden took over the team which finished in a creditable 8th place in the table. The following season saw yet another change in management with former Darlington player Andy Toman taking over. Another dip in club fortunes saw the side face relegation.

The 2010/11 and 2011/12 were two of the worst seasons in the Red Star history with the team involved in relegation battles which could have seen the club relegated to the Wearside League, both battles were successful and the club retained it’s Northern League status.

This season the club appointed Mark Collingwood and Simon Johnson, who achieved great success in the Northern Alliance League with Hebburn Reyrolle.

Previous managers in the Club’s history include Northern League legend Paul Walker, in conjunction with the long serving Chris Copeland; former Hartlepool Manager, Billy Horner; and ex Burnley player, Harry Wilson. Former players going on to join Football League clubs include Nigel Gleghorn (Ipswich and Manchester City), Bobby Davison (Halifax, Derby and Leeds) and Stephen Harper (currently with Newcastle United). Tommy Henderson remains the Club’s leading goalscorer, netting 211 goals in 276 appearances including a record breaking 62 in 1978-9.

Honours: Phillips Floodlighting Competition winners 1978-79; Durham Challenge Cup winners 1979-80; Wearside League champions 1981-82; Wearside League Cup winners 1981-2; Northern League 2nd Div runners up 1987-88; Northern League Cup winners 1992-93; Northern League 1st Div runners up 1999-2000, Northern League 2nd Div Runners Up 2006-07.

League Cup Result

Shildon AFC are through to the Last Eight

Shildon AFC are through to the last eight of the Brooks Milestone Northern League Cup after an easy 2 – 0 home win against Billingham Synthonia on Wednesday 18th February 2015.

It was third time lucky for the game to be played as the previous two dates were cancelled because of the bad weather.

On a windy evening, it was the visitors who had the first chance of the game on 20 minutes when Ross Gardner blasted over the bar. It transpired this was the only scoring chance Synners had for the whole of the 90 minutes, with Shildon’s keeper Kyle Hayes not required to make a single save all night.

The Railwaymen took the lead on 24 minutes when a well hit free kick was fired over keeper Peter Burke for 1 – 0.

Two minutes later Ben Wood was tripped in the box for a penalty which Lee Scroggins blasted in.

On 36 minutes Shildon nearly got a third when a perfect cross from Paul Connor found Billy Greulich-Smith who headed against the post.

Half Time:  Shildon AFC  2  Billingham Synthonia  0

Kicking against the wind the 2nd half was a dull affair with Shildon’s Lee Scroggins firing over and Ben Wood firing wide, with Synners not able to muster a single shot.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  2  Billingham Synthonia  0

Goalscorers:  Chapman 24, Scroggins 26.

Subs:  Richardson for Chapman 46, Brackstone for Moore 70, Taylor for Connor 77.

Shildon are at home in the next round to Seaham Red Star who are currently running away with the Ebac 2nd Division and are no mugs, having beaten North Shields 2 – 1 in the previous round.

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “Job done”.

Team

1) Kyle Hayes
2) Jamie Harwood
3) Lee Chapman
4) Lee Scroggins
5) Darren Craddock
6) Daniel Moore
7) Billy Greulich-Smith
8) Sam Hodgson
9) Paul Connor
10) Ben Wood
11) Mark Doninger

Subs

12) Chris Emms
14) Jack Taylor on for Connor
15) John Brackstone on for Moore
16) Adam Rundle
17) Darren Richardson on for Chapman

Man-of-The-MatchScroggins

League Cup 3rd Round Preview

 

15: 00 Tonight’s game against Billingham Synthonia has been called off due to a frozen pitchsynners

Venue

Shildon FC
Dean Street
Shildon
DL4 1EZ

Match Day

4th February
Kick Off: 19:30

Admission Prices
Adult – £ 6.00
Concession – £ 4.00
Under 12’s free with paying adult

Current League Position –  19th ENL1
P 28  W 7  D 3  L 18  F 44  A 73  Pts 24

Last Match Played
24th January 2015 – ENL 1
Billingham Synthonia 5 Ashington 2

Previous Round
2nd Round) West Allotment Celtic 1 Billingham Synthonia 3 AET

Last time we met

9th August 2014
Shildon 4 Billingham Synthonia 0

Facts

Founded: 1923
Nickname: The Synners
Record Attendance: 4,200 v Bishop Auckland 6/9/1958
Joined Northern League: 1945-46
Home Colours: Green & White Quarter Shirt, White Shorts & Socks
Away Colours: 
Website: http://www.synners.co.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Synthonia
Facebook: 

Histroy (From Synners.co.uk)

Billingham Synthonia FC History

 

An introduction to ‘The Synners’

Billingham Synthonia F.C. is a football club based in Billingham, England. Members of the Ebac Northern League & established in 1923-24, they first contested the South Bank & District League, before joining the Teesside League. After the Second World War, Synthonia rejoined the Teesside League for a last term before joining the Northern League in 1945-46.

The name ‘Synthonia’ comes from a contraction of an agricultural product manufactured by ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries); ‘Synthetic Ammonia’ (a fertiliser). ICI was a company which was the principal employer in Billingham for many years and encouraged its employees to partake in a number of different sports. The Synners were connected to ICI until the early 1990’s when ICI sold off its Billingham operations.

The clubs first ground was on the south side of Belasis Lane, part of ICI’s original sporting complex. They moved across the road to their new Belasis Lane ground for the start of the Northern League campaign in 1945. A notable first in football occurred on this ground in 1952, when Synthonia took on an RAF Team in the first floodlit game in Northern England and the first Amateur team to play under lights. Before a crowd of 3,000, Synthonia won 8-4. They left the Belasis Lane ground to make way for a new ICI office block in 1958, moving to Central Avenue with a 2,000 capacity Cantilever Stand (the longest in the Country at the time) and a running track around the perimeter, the stadium opened on September 6th by Lord Derby. The first game against Bishop Auckland ended 2-2 with an attendance of 4,200, the club’s highest. The stadium was also used for an international athletics meeting.

The most famous Synner is Brian Clough, who appeared for the club in 1952-53 before going on National Service. Others include Aidan Davison, capped 3 times by Northern Ireland, who played for Synthonia during 87-88. Bernie Slaven, ex-Middlesbrough and Republic of Ireland striker, played for the club after his retirement from professional football, along with ex-Middlesbrough and Northern Ireland winger Terry Cochrane. Another ex- Middlesbrough and Eire player, Curtis Fleming, played for Synthonia in 2006-07.

The Post-War Years

Synthonia played their first Northern League match on the 25th August 1945 with a 5-4 win away at Shildon. Scorers that day were G Hawes with a hat-trick, A Rhodes & H Wilson (Wilson is the 10th all-time Synners top goal-scorer with 114 goals).

After coming third in their inaugural Northern League season & ‘Dusty’ Rhodes scoring a club record eight goals in a match at South Bank on Christmas Day 1945, Synners went on to become runner-up on three occasions; 49-50, 50-51, 51-52. In 50-51 Billingham didn’t concede a home league goal all season, keeper Harry Armstrong preserving the record in a 3-0 win over Bishop Auckland in the last game of the season. The record stands to this day.

A first trophy as Northern Leaguers came in 51-52, winning the Northern League Challenge Cup Captained by Irving Johnstone. A ‘Biffer’ Smith goal saw a 1-1 draw with Tow Law, in the replay Wally Buffham scored the only goal in a 1-0 win. Buffham went on to score 106 goals for the club. A first league title came in 56-57, Bill McQuarrie (5th in the all-time goal-scorers with 138 goals) being top scorer with 39 goals in all competitions. Billingham also boasted FA Cup runs which saw them face Football League sides in the 1st Round proper on four occasions before the 60’s; Crewe Alexandra in 48-49, Stockport County in 49-50, Scunthorpe in 51-52 and Carlisle United in 56-57, as well as Boston United 57-58.

The 1960’s and 70’s

Synthonia continued to make an impact in the FA Cup, reaching the 4th Qualifying Round on three occasions in 66-67, 72-73 and 78-79. Although being Durham FA affiliated, they competed and fared well in the North Riding Senior Cup for a number of years; winners in 66-67, 71-72 and 78-79 as well as being runners-up in 69-70, 70-71 and 72-73.

This period also saw the introduction of the holders of the club’s two main records; Tony Hetherington (64-79) is the club’s top goal-scorer with 243 goals including a club record of 51 goals in 71-72. Andy Harbron (77-96), made his debut in a 4-3 win at Shildon on November 19th 1977 and is the club’s top appearance maker with 648, scoring 76 goals. Also into the Synners fold came goalkeeper Eric Chamberlain (68-86) who amassed 454 appearances and John Alderson (73-86) who featured 434 times. Peter Cook (76-87) netted 156 goals, and is the 4th all-time Synners top goal-scorer.

The 1980’s and 90’s

After being runners-up in the Durham Challenge Cup in 81-82, the club enjoyed a purple patch with a host of League and Cup success, despite being relegated to Division 2 in 85-86. Promoted back to Division 1 at the first attempt in 86-87, the 2nd Division title was claimed losing just one league game. The following 87-88 season saw League Cup success over Shildon with a 2-1 win in the Final; goals from Richie Allen (2nd highest all-time goal-scorer with 195 goals) and Neil Granycome. FA Cup success also returned to the club as they reached the 1st Round for a 6th time and a ‘home’ tie against Halifax Town at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Ground. The Shaymen ran out 4-2 winners, but knew they’d been in a game. Synners’ scorers that day were Allen and Martin Hewitt. The early 80’s also saw the introduction of another 400+ appearance maker in David Parry (82-93, 417 appearances).

The 88-89 season saw the 1st Division title claimed for a second time with the firepower of striker Allen and Charlie Butler (3rd Synners all-time goal scorer with 183 goals); the start of a formidable partnership. A first Durham Challenge Cup success was also obtained with a 4-1 win over neighbours Billingham Town in the final, goals from Granycome, a Butler brace and David Shearer. A third Northern League title was secured in 89-90 and a third Northern League Cup was also claimed in a 5-2 win over Whitby Town in the Final. Further FA Cup progression also ensued with a 1st Round tie away at Lincoln City where Synners narrowly missed out with a 1-0 defeat at Sincil Bank.

This period also saw the emergence of three more 400+ Synthonia appearance makers with Barney Malone (1987-2008, 420 appearances), Glen Corkain (1989-2003, 443 appearances) & Sean O’Brien (1989-2002, 438 appearances) joining the Synners ranks.

More success in the Durham Challenge Cup followed in 90-91 with a 1-0 win over Eppleton CW at the Victoria Ground, Hartlepool; Tony Lynch the goal scorer. Synthonia were runner-up in the league again in 92-93. The following 93-94 season Andy Fletcher (6th Synners all-time goal scorer with 125 goals) debuted as Synners reached the Quarter-Final of the FA Trophy in a run which included wins over Conference sides Kettering Town & Macclesfield Town. Billingham exited after taking Woking to a replay with Butler scoring in the first tie away. The home game saw a 2-1 reverse, Allen the scorer. The 93-94 season also saw the introduction of Dave O’Gorman (1993-2004, 461 appearances).

Another Northern League runner-up came in 94-95. Tony Wood (9th Synners all-time goal scorer with 121 goals) debuted in the 95-96 season, the same season also saw the fourth of Synthonia’s Northern League title’s with a narrow 2 point gap ahead of Bedlington Terriers. A last game of the season 4-0 win over Dunston Federation gave Synners the points to be champions; goals coming from Paul Roberts, Mick Rowntree, O’Gorman and Fletcher. Two further runner-up spots in the league (96-97 & 97-98) came as the century came to a close.

The 2000’s to Present

Lee Flanagan made his debut in 2001-02 and went on to score 124 times for the club (7th all-time scorer). The early part of the new millennium saw Billingham runners-up twice in the Durham Cup (02-03 & 05-06), runners-up in the League Cup (02-03) and a runners-up spot in the Northern League (04-05). This period also saw the latest player to join the 400+ appearance club; Michael Cater (02-12) making 403 appearances. Also making his debut was James Magowan (04-14), coming in at 8th in the scorers charts with 122 goals.

The club’s best FA Vase run came in the 2006-07 season, reaching the semi-finals only to lose out 5-4 on penalties against AFC Totton. The away leg saw Synners gain a 2-1 advantage with goals from Shaun Hope and Colin Iley. The return leg Totton won 2-1, before a crowd of over 2,300 at Central Avenue; David Wells scoring Billingham’s goal. Wells is also a 100+ goal-scorer with 109 club goals.

More Durham Cup success followed; Synners winning the trophy in 08-09 with a 1-0 win over Northern Premier League side Durham City with a Magowan goal; the following 09-10 season retaining the trophy in a 2-0 win over Ryton, Danny Earl & Dan Newby the scorers.

Synners record win of 11-0 was recorded on November 8th, 2014 in a Durham Challenge Cup 1st Round game at Seaton Carew, scorers were Michael Sweet (4), Kris Hughes (2) Bryan Stewart (2), Nathan

League Cup 2nd Round

Shildon progressed to the 3rd round of the League Cup with a 4-0 win away to Tow Law Town with two goals from Bobby Moore and one each for Ben Wood and Adam Rundle.

Team

1) Kyle Hayes

2) Sam Hodgson

3) Darren Richardson

4) Daniel Moore

5) Carl Jones

6) Liam atkin

7) Michael Rae

8) Jack Taylor

9) Paul Connor

10) Lee Chapman

11) Adam Rundle

Subs

12) Ben Wood on for Connor

14) Chris Emms on for Rae

15) Doninger for Chapman

 

Match Report to Follow

League Cup Preview

By Archie MacKay from the Shildon Football Club Facebook Page

Having managed to get a league game under their belt at the weekend, the Railwaymen return to cup action tonight as they revisit pre-season friendly opponents Tow Law Town in the League Cup.

The sides met during the summer in their first outing of the pre-season with Shildon eventually running out comfortable winners after being pegged back by the second division side either side of the half time interval.

Shildon progressed in the FA Vase and Durham Challenge Cup in recent games and almost reached the first round proper of the FA Cup and while cup success means fixture congestion, Shildon will be in no mood to be on the wrong end of a cup upset.

As with last week’s County Cup tie, Gary Forrest may see the match as an opportunity to test the depth of his squad. Kick off at the Ironworks will be 7.30pm.