Shildon AFC kept up the pressure on league leaders, Bishop Auckland with a 4-1 home win over Heaton Stannington on Saturday.
Veteran striker, Billy Greulich-Smith, playing his 400th game for the club, added another two to his season’s goal tally while Max Allen and Luke Spalding collected the others after Leighton Hopper had given the visitors the lead in the 18th minute.
Greulich-Smith levelled the scores in the 35th minute with a precisely directed header before Allen found the postage stamp with a thunderous rocket from more than 25 yards out.
Another accurately placed effort from Greulich-Smith, this time with his left boot, stretched the lead before Spalding spread the icing on the cake, jinking past several players before firing an effort, collecting the rebound, and placing the ball high into the roof of the net.
Meanwhile, the club has announced that its sister company, Bishop Juniors is to be rebranded as Shildon AFC Youth from the end of the current season and is also to merge with AJX FC.
The founder of AJX, Charlie Crane has agreed to take up the position of Head of Development at both Shildon AFC Youth and for Shildon AFC.
The merger will provide the club with over 20 teams and in excess of 250 children who will all play in the club colours.
Charlie Crane said: “I am really excited for the future of Shildon AFC Youth.
“Our aim is to impact as many young people in our area as possible, with high quality, inclusive football. We will continue to create a whole club approach to player development that will become a beacon of opportunity in our area.”
David Dent, Chairman of Shildon AFC said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Charlie has agreed to this merger.
“I was very impressed with his passion, his coaching acumen and most of all his values, which resonate with those of Shildon AFC.
“It will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to offer first class football coaching to children in the surrounding area, allowing us to be more inclusive and to strengthen the pathway to the first team”.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
