Shildon AFC got quickly back on track after their FA Cup exit by picking up maximum points in their latest two league games, albeit they did their best to throw away a four-goal lead on Saturday, reports Wilf Tray.
It was a strange game of football at North Shields, riding high in third spot before the game, where Shildon were comfortable for 88 minutes then almost undid their good work in the closing moments.
Shildon were on top throughout the first half without threatening the home goal until Andrei Ardelean scored just before half-time.
Ardelean scored again just into the second half to make it 0-2, and with the home side down to nine men with two players in the sin bin,
Shildon pressed forward and Ardelean completed his hat trick in the 69th minute.
The hosts were struggling to get out of their own half at this point and Shildon – and Ardelean – extended the lead to four with 11 minutes to play.
It had been a very comfortable day for Shildon until the home side suddenly struck back with three goals in the 88th, 90th, and 92nd minutes to make it a very nervy last couple of minutes.
And so an otherwise comfortable day was almost thrown away, but ultimately proved a good three points for Shildon away at a top three side.
Meanwhile in midweek, the side made the short visit to West Auckland for the first local derby of the season and quickly found themselves in front when Ben Reay netted after just seven minutes.
The Railwaymen then repeated their fast start in the second half with Ardelean adding to his already prolific haul just three minutes into the second period, converting after a goalmouth scramble.
And again, they waited until late in the game before conceding to Alfie Steel in the 83rd minute to ensure another nervous
end to a game.
Together, the wins leapfrog unbeaten Shildon into fourth spot ahead of a visit to table-topping Whitley Bay this weekend, who are the division’s only other unbeaten side.
It’s then a free midweek ahead of the FA Vase Second Round Qualifying tie against Longridge Town, which is expected to take place at Crook Town.
Wilf Tray
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
