Shildon AFC legend, Billy Greuich-Smith scored his landmark 250th goal for the club in their 0-3 win at Newcastle Benfield on Tuesday night, further solidifying his status as the greatest player in the club’s modern history.
The goal arrived just ahead of the striker’s 500th game for the club, meaning a remarkable career record of better than a goal every two games.
The only shame for the club, and for Greulich-Smith was that the event took place away from his adoring home support and in front of a paltry crowd of just 88.
The match was a return to league action after the weekend’s FA Cup tie at the home of local rivals West Auckland Town, which Shildon won by the game’s only goal, scored by Ben Reay in the 71st minute.
Shildon will take some small measure of revenge from the game after West defeated them in the promotion play-off final at the end of last season.
Their reward was a home draw in the First Round Qualifying where they will entertain Warrington Town FC at Dean Street on Saturday 5 September, with kick-off at the usual 3pm.
The Cheshire-based Northern Premier League Premier Division club will prove their sternest test yet in the competition.
Meanwhile, back to Tuesday’s historic win at Benfield, where it took until the 35th minute before Joe Posthill opened the scoring for the visitors with a clinical strike from the edge of the box.
An own goal from Joe Ames in first half added time doubled the Railwaymen’s lead and just six minutes from time came Billy’s moment.
A wonderful strike from the corner of the box ricocheted off the post and bounced towards Greulich-Smith.
The striker was able to control the ball before firing high past a defender and into the roof of the net for a finish befitting its importance.
Shildon move up to fourth in the table ahead of three homes matches in a row.
First up is the visit of another local rival, Newton Aycliffe this weekend before Birtley Town come visiting on Tuesday night. Then comes the FA Cup, for which the now postponed league match against Horden has been rescheduled for Tuesday 15 September at 7.30pm.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
