Tag: The Railwaymen

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.

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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Pay what you can to see Shildon v Hamilton Accies

Shildon have secured a late addition to their friendly schedule in the form of Scottish Premier League opposition. 

Hamilton Academical FC will be the visitors to Dean Street next Saturday, 26th July in a special Community Friendly.

Instead of the usual entry fee, Shildon are opening the gates and asking the community to ‘pay what you can’ for this game.

A club spokesperson said: “If all you can afford is 50 pence, you will still be able to gain entry to this match against prestigious opposition. We would like as many people in the community as possible to come along to Dean Street and enjoy this match against a side playing at the very top level in Scotland. It is not often games like this come along and we would like as many people in the community as possible to have the opportunity to see this match.”

Hamilton Accies created a sensation in Scotland last season when they famously relegated Hibernian in an end of season playoff, consigning the Edinburgh club to the Scottish Championship alongside their city rivals Hearts.

Having lost the first leg of the match 0-2 at New Douglas Park, Hamilton travelled to Edinburgh and Easter Road with a monumental task ahead of them.

An early goal from Jason Scotland gave the visitors hope, but as the clock ran down, it looked like Hibs would survive. Then, in the last ten seconds of normal time, up popped Anthony Andreu to level the aggregate scores and take the match to extra time. 

With no further score in the tie, the match went to penalties and it was Accies who prevailed, winning the shootout 4-3 to record one the most sensational results in modern Scottish football history.

Now Shildon will have the opportunity to play the Premier League new boys in what will be the sternest test of their pre-season schedule. Kick off at Dean Street is scheduled for 1pm and the club hopes that with a pay what you can entry fee, the community will turn out in numbers to support the Railwaymen.

New home and away kit unveiled

Shildon will be sporting a new home and away kit over the next two seasons, modelled here by last season’s Player of the Year, Darren Craddock; club captain, Mark Hudson; goalkeeper, Lewis Graham; forward, Ben Wood, and new boy Adam Rundle.

New major sponsor Victus Solutions UK will sponsor the home kit for the first team, reserves and under 18s while Blue Diamond Machine Tools, owned by club chairman Brian Burn will sponsor the respective away kits.

Identity Consult will sponsor the kits for all of the Development Centre teams and all the club’s sides from the under 7s to the first team will wear the same Errea kit, supplied by Motif8.

The kit is now available for pre-order, with payments accepted in cash at the club shop or electronically via Paypal. Email clubshop@shildonafc.com for ordering and enquiries.

Tow Law 2-5 Shildon

The close season officially ended today for the Railwaymen and their hosts, Tow Law Town, and for Shildon the new season began with a five star display at the Ironworks. 

Shildon dominated possession and took a two goal first half lead before some lax defending allowed the Lawyers back into the game with two cheap replies.

But the Railwaymen got back on track and scored three more without reply to open their 2014-15 season with a thoroughly deserved 5-2 win.

Two of Shildon’s four close season signings made debut starts, with the returning Daniel ‘Bobby’ Moore in centre midfield and Adam Rundle on the left wing both performing well.

The Durham Challenge Cup winners were on the front foot from the kick off but it took until the 25th minute for Billy Greulich-Smith – the county cup goal hero – to open the scoring with a simple tap in after good work down the right side.

In the 40th minute the lead was doubled when Paul Connor, who looked dangerous throughout the first half, cut inside on the right before curling a left-footed shot past the keeper’s right hand and into the far corner of the net.

But what looked like a straightforward victory was complicated by slack defending either side of the first half.

Just before the break a simple through ball put Scott Thomson clear, and with the defence static, the midfielder has the simplest of tasks to lob the ball over the onrushing Lewis Graham in the Shildon goal.

And just after the break, confusion in the Shildon defence was followed by confusion over the outcome of Simon Ord’s cross-cum-chip, which fortuitously sailed over Lewis Graham and into the far corner of the net. At first it appeared to have been ruled out for a foul, but the referee then seemed to change his mind and award the equalising goal after all.

The goal came as Shildon’s second half substitutes were still finding their feet, but Shildon took the lead again after Sam Garvie had his taken from under him by Tow Law’s keeper. Mark Hudson stepped up to coolly slot home the resultant penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way (pictured above).

It was then the turn of Michael Rae to score his first Shildon goal on his second half debut. Shildon’s forwards pressed the Tow Law defence into losing the ball before sending Rae through to slide the ball easily past the keeper for Shildon’s fourth.

Shildon were playing some scintillating passing football on this hot Saturday afternoon and had two goals ruled out for narrow offside decisions. Both deserved reward for the excellent build-up play that preceded them.

But there was time yet for the Railwaymen to add a fifth goal. Another excellent move down the right culminated in a 16 yard drive by Sam Hodgson which nestled in the corner of the net and saw Shildon off to a comfortable start to their pre-season.

Next up will be a sterner test at Blyth Spartans on Tuesday evening before the side’s first home friendly next Friday – a rematch from last season as Scottish League One side Stranraer visit Dean Street.

Shildon: Graham, Harwood, Richardson, Craddock, Brackstone, Moore, Ruddy, Hudson, Rundle, Greulich-Smith, Connor. Subs: Emms, Rae, Wood, Garvie Hodgson, Atkin (unused).

See photos from today’s match by Tom Clegg on Flickr.