Tag: Shildon AFC

West Auckland v Shildon AFC

The Twelfth Man turned out in force at West Auckland this afternoon for the game of the day in the FA Vase.

Unfortunately for the Railwaymen it was a bad day at the office, and although the sides were evenly matched throughout, a solitary goal for the home side separated the teams and saw Shildon exit this season’s tournament after just one match.

Shildon and West couldn’t have wished for a worse draw and the game proved to be a tight and tense affair with very few chances for either side.

There was no effort of note in the entire first 45 minutes and it was Shildon who should have taken the lead at the beginning of the second half when Ben Wood found space in the box and set up a glorious opportunity for himself.

But the normally composed finisher opted for power and, instead of calmly placing the ball into the inviting net, swiped wildly and sent it high and wide of the target.

It was a game in which the referee leaned heavily in favour the home side in his decision making and in the 65th minute, this tendency proved fatal for the visitors.

What appeared to be a free kick for Shildon when Mark Hudson was bundled to the ground was waved away by the official. However, he could not be blamed for the players’ failure to play on and, as they stopped to protest the foul, Garthwaite strode forward uncontested and drove a powerful shot high into the roof of the net from 20 yards.

Shildon almost equalised immediately, but a goalmouth scramble ricocheted harmlessly into Nixon’s arms.

Try as they might, Shildon could not find an equaliser and late in the game it took a goal line clearance to keep the score down to one-nil.

Unfortunately time ran out on last year’s FA Vase semi-finalists, but the Railwaymen can be consoled in the knowledge that they remain in top spot in the league and can now focus their attentions on an historic tilt at this season’s title.

The disappointment of the result will stay with the squad, the supporters and the town in the coming days, but this team of proven winners will be ready to go again in the league next Friday evening at Crook Town.

Shildon 1-1 Whitley Bay

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 sign Ruddy and Kerr

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.