A cup double remains a real possibility for Shildon AFC this season as the Railwaymen saw off Boro Rangers by 2-1 at Dean Street in midweek to reach the League Cup final, having already secured their berth in the Durham Challenge Cup final against Whickham at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday 15 April.
The club will know their final opponents after Thursday evening’s second semi-final, taking place after this week’s Crier goes to press, between Easington Colliery and Blyth Town.
Indeed the club could witness an historic treble-winning season if they were to overtake league leaders, Redcar in the final games of the season.
However, that prospect diminished somewhat when the Railwaymen failed to capitalise on Redcar’s goalless draw away at lowly Seaham Red Star at the weekend when they too dropped points at Guisborough, having come back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw.
Shildon remain three points and a significant goal difference behind the leaders.
Both sides have three matches remaining in the league campaign. All of Shildon’s are at home, while two of Redcar’s are away from home.
Shildon will also play the Durham Challenge Cup final in the midweek prior to the final league game of the season, but will know by then whether they remain in the hunt for the title.
Tickets for that final are on sale now and only available online. See right for details.
In the meantime, Shildon’s points total means their place in the playoffs is assured and one more victory will all but guarantee second place, given their superior goal difference over third place Blyth Town.
Back to the weekend where Shildon travelled to Guisborough knowing that a positive result was essential to keep the title race alive and, given Redcar were at third-bottom Seaham Red Star, a win was more than likely needed.
However, it was the home side – who had previously knocked the Railwaymen out of FA Vase in the early rounds – who opened the scoring in 33 minutes through Ben Jackson, a lead they were able to hold on to until the break.
Shildon responded through Nathan Greenwood just eight minutes into the second half, but were unable to find what could have proved a crucial winner.
Meanwhile, over in Seaham, a dogged performance from the home side, who are battling for their Division One survival, saw The Star grind out a 0-0 draw against leaders Redcar.
While the result kept Shildon’s slim hopes of wresting the title from their east coast rivals, it will also be seen as a missed oppportunity to close the gap and pile immense pressure on the Steelmen.
However, the Railwaymen will have taken plenty of consolation from Tuesday’s semi-final performance which saw goals from Adam Lennox in the first half and a curling Ciaran Banks free kick in the second see them through to a second cup final, albeit a 75th minute Spencer Walker finish for Boro Rangers – currently Shildon’s likely playoff opponents – made for a nervy finish to the game.
Shildon host Whitley Bay this weekend while Redcar travel to fourth place Newcastle Blue Star.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
