Tag: Shildon AFC

Celtic Nation Result ENL 1

A Comfortable Win

Shildon AFC finally played a league game on Saturday 8th November 2014 when they entertained Celtic Nation and were worthy 4- 1 winners. After six cup ties from their last eight games, the Railwaymen were keen to get back into league action. They took an early lead on 7 minutes when Ben Wood hooked the ball home through a crowd of players in the box. Minutes later a Micky Rae cross was put through his own goal by Tyler Bowman for 2 – 0. It was one way traffic in the 2nd half and just after the hour man-of- the-match John Brackstone’s curling free kick from outside the box gave keeper Andy Casson no chance. With 3 minutes remaining Celtic’s No 9 Jonathan Allan pulled a goal back, but Shildon restored the 3 goal lead just before the final whistle when a long cross from Adam Rundle was headed in by Paul Connor.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  4  Celtic Nation  1

Goalscorers:  Wood 7,Own Goal, Brackstone 62, Connor 90.

Bookings:  (Y) Moore  36.

Subs: Rundle for Wood 66, Connor for Rae 68, Chapman for Emms 76.

Man-of-the-Match:  John Brackstone.

 

Team

1) Kyle Hayes

2) Jamie Harwood

3) Darren Richardson

4) Mark Hudson

5) Darren Craddock

6) John Brackstone

7) Daniel Moore

8) Mark Doninger

9) Michael Rae

10) Ben Wood

11) Chris Emms

12) Paul Connor on for Rae

14) Sam Hodgson

15) Lee Chapman on for Emms

16) Liam Atkin

17) Adam Rundle on for Wood

 

Goals : Wood, Emms, Connor, Own Goal

 

Pictures Courtesy of Tom Clegg

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Celtic Nation ENL1 Preview

By Archie MacKay

Almost exactly two months ago, on Wednesday 10th September, Shildon won an entertaining midweek game by the odd goal in five against Division One newcomers, North Shields. It was the last time the Railwayman played a home match in the Northern League.

In the intervening fourteen games, the side has played just four league matches, all of which were on their travels. Tomorrow league action returns at last to Dean Street with last season’s runners up, Celtic Nation, the visitors.

The Cumbrian club have experienced a fairy tale ride like no other non-league side over the past couple of seasons, transforming from rags to riches, only to return equally rapidly to the traditional togs of semi-professional strugglers.

When the club, financed by American-dwelling Scots-Irish multi-millionaire, Frank Lynch failed to capitalise on their cash and star player injection by winning promotion, the money dried up, the club was sold back to former chairman Steve Skinner, players moved on and the hardcore of the club was left to pick up the pieces and build again for this season.

It has proved a testing time for the Nation, who have struggled to come to terms with their fall from superstardom. Forced to rebuild late in the pre-season they currently languish in 18th place in the league but remain capable of causing trouble to any side, as 3rd placed Dunston learned to their cost in midweek.

Shildon could do worse than keep Nation’s 1-0 win on Tuesday night at the forefront of their minds tomorrow as they look to pick up points in their own campaign to win this year’s title; the visitors’ afflictions should not be taken as a guarantee of an easy time for the Railwaymen.

Billy Greulich-Smith remains a doubt as he recovers from an injury sustained at Stourbridge in the FA Cup. Carl Jones has also been recovering from a knock but is close to full fitness. Several members of the squad who have not been featuring recently received a run out in the 4-0 away win in the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek and Chris Emms in particular made a strong case for inclusion this weekend.

Tomorrow also sees Shildon AFC Development Centre’s Under 10s enjoy a matchday experience at Dean Street as special guests of the first team. The youngsters will lead their senior colleagues onto the pitch prior to kick off. Please show them your support.

Kick off tomorrow is at 3pm. Admission is £6 adults, £4 concessions and under 12s are admitted free with a paying adult.

Durham Challenge Cup defence gets underway

by Archie MacKay

Shildon’s defence of the County Cup gets underway tonight as they visit Ashbrooke Belford House in the First Round of the tournament they won last season for the first time in over 40 years.

Two late Billy Greulich-Smith goals in the final against Spennymoor, the second in injury time, saw the Durham Challenge Cup hoisted by the Railwaymen for the first time in a generation.

If ever the old cliche of “their name was written on the cup” could be said to be true, it was surely Shildon’s name on this cup last season.

The side had to negotiate extra time in each of the first three rounds, surviving a penalty shoot-out at Norton in the first round in which Keith Finch had to save two penalties to keep Shildon in the tournament and avoid a humiliating early exit. His display was later rewarded with the Performance of the Season Award from the Supporters Club.

Further extra time wins against Seaham Red Star and Dunston were followed by a comfortable 3-1 home win against Consett in the semi-final to set up that now famous summer showdown against Spennymoor at Billingham Synthonia.

Tonight’s opponents play in the Wearside league at Silksworth Park in Sunderland. The club currently lies 10th in the Wearside League with 20 points from their 17 games played. They enter this tie on the back of two away wins in the league where they have scored seven and conceded two.

Admission to tonight’s match is just £3 adults and £1 concessions. Kick off is 7.30pm. Directions to the ground and a clickable map can be found here.

FA Vase – Preview

by Archie MacKay

After the disappointment of Wednesday night’s FA Cup exit, Shildon re-join the road to Wembley on Saturday with an FA Vase away day at Colne FC of the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

The Railwaymen’s opponents sit mid table in their division but have won their last three matches in a row, all away from home: two in the league and one in the cup, including a 5-1 win over fourth placed AFC Liverpool.

Less than 20 years old, the Reds, as they are nicknamed, were established in 1996 and play at the Holt House Stadium in Colne, Lancashire, a ground previously used by Colne Dynamoes who progressed to the highest levels of non-league football before folding in 1990.

The club’s largest home attendance of 1,742 came in an FA Vase Semi-final replay against AFC Sudbury in 2004 which the Reds lost 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the match. The club’s average attendance last season was 95.

So far this season the club has progressed through the qualifying rounds by defeating two Northern League sides in Penrith and Heaton Stannington, so the Railwaymen, who are joint favourites in the tournament, will need to be on form to ensure they are not the Lancashire side’s third Northern League scalp this season.

While Shildon will still be hurting from Wednesday’s FA Cup loss, Colne will know that the Railwaymen will want to take their frustrations out on the NWC side, and Shildon will be in no mood for an early exit from the competition. Billy Greulich-Smith remains a doubt for the game, but otherwise, Shildon should have a full compliment to choose from.

The match kicks off at the Holt House Stadium at 3pm and there are some places remaining on the supporters bus for anyone wishing to travel. The coach leaves the car park behind the George pub at 9.30am on Saturday. To enquire about seats, call 07784 975451.

Shildon 1 Stalybridge 0

Shildon AFC Worthy Winners

In front of a large home crowd Shildon AFC went through to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the F.A. Cup after an excellent 1 – 0 home win against Stalybridge Celtic FC from Manchester, who play in the Conference North League.

After reading Celtic’s match report written by Debbie Taylor, I think she cannot have been at the same match as everyone else. She starts her report by saying “One defensive lapse midway through the 2nd half was enough to send Celtic back home out of the F.A. Cup. Shildon seemed to have set out a plan of being dangerous from set pieces”.  Let me tell you what really happened. Shildon were the better side for the whole of the game, and despite the score being 0 – 0 at half time, the Railwaymen could easily have been at least 4 – 1 up at the break.

On 6  minutes Billy Greulich-Smith’s shot was well saved, then Darren Craddock headed downwards and over from 6 yards. Next Ben Wood headed over from a corner and Daniel Moore headed over the bar. They were not set pieces, but two corners. On 36 minutes Micky Rae was put through but keeper Lewis King blocked his shot. On 40 minutes Lee Scroggins fired into the bottom corner but again the keeper made another good stop.

Celtic, on the other hand rarely troubled Shildon’s defence. On 28 minutes No 11 Liam Dickinson’s shot was well blocked by Daniel Moore, then just before the interval an isolated attack saw Anthony Malbon hit the post and No 11 Liam Dickinson fired in the rebound into the empty net, only to be ruled off side.

Half Time:  Shildon AFC 0  Stalybridge Celtic FC  0

There were fewer chances in the 2nd half, but Shildon were still the better side and on 59 minutes Billy Gruelich-Smith sprinted between two defenders and fires a left footer into the top corner for  a deserved lead.

After the goal, Celtic came more into the game especially down the right hand side, but not really troubling Shildon’s defence. In fact their only chance of the half was a Nathan Heath header on 82 minutes which went wide.

For Shildon, Micky Rae went close, and Billy, on the back post shot wide. Near the end Ben Wood’s effort was saved by the keeper with his feet.

Final Score:  Shildon AFC  1  Stalybridge Celtic FC  0

Goalscorer:  Greulich-Smith 59.

Subs:  Harwood for Rae 80, Rundle for Wood 87

Bookings:  (Y)  Craddock 49, Scroggins 65.

Man-of-the-Match:  Billy Gruelich-Smith

After the match manager Gary Forrest said “We were superb today. We were better in every department and thoroughly deserved to win”.

Everyone in the ground including all the Celtic supporters and directors agreed Shildon were worthy winners. Celtic manager was gracious in defeat saying “I have to question the desire and commitment of some of my players. You couldn’t tell which was the full time side and which was the part time side”.

 

Pictures Courtesy of  Tom Clegg

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Seven up Shildon march on in FA Cup

Shildon ensured their progression in the FA Cup with a seven goal thrashing of local rivals Crook Town on Saturday.

A hat trick from man of the match Micky Rae (pictured scoring his first and Shildon’s second) was complemented by goals from Adam Rundle, Ben Wood, Mark Hudson and a late own goal to cap Crook’s miserable day but leave Shildon in seventh heaven.

Shildon will now travel south to take on Padiham of the Evo-Stick North, who were beaten 0-2 in their opening league match at home by Spennymoor Town on the same afternoon.

The Supporters Club is already taking names on a first come first served basis for the coach journey to cheer the lads on in the next round. Traditionally seats fill up very quickly, so get in touch by calling 07784 975451 as soon as possible to book your passage to Padiham on Saturday 30th August – just a fortnight away.

SHILDON: Finch, Harwood, Richardson (Emms), Hudson, Craddock, Atkin, Moore, Rundle, Rae, Wood (Garvie), Ruddy (Greulich-Smith). SUBS (not used): Brackstone, Hodgson, Taylor, Connor.

Photo: Tom Clegg

Shildon 1-3 Hamilton Academical

Two goals in the final nine minutes and two penalties were the difference between the sides as Shildon took on Scottish Premiership opposition at Dean Street. The Railwaymen took the lead through Paul Connor and almost held on to it until half time but a 45th minute penalty, converted by Jason Scotland, brought the visitors back into the game. Shildon received an intense lesson in defending in the second half and held out until late in the game, but two goals in the final nine minutes, including another penalty, gave the top flight Scottish side a deserved but hard fought victory.

Tom Clegg took the photos, available below and on flickr.

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