Shildon controversially lost a rare game to postponement after the eagerly awaited local derby against Bishop Auckland was postponed by the match referee while the players warmed up and the stands filled up.
A small patch of boggy ground in one of the goalmouths was to blame and with the referee reluctant to endanger player safety, the match was called off at very short notice.
Both clubs appealed for the referee to change his mind, saying they were prepared to play, but the official could not be swayed.
Afterwards, Shildon captain Daniel ‘Bobby’ Moore, reluctantly agreed with the referee’s decision.
“In the wet part of the pitch, we were sinking to above our ankles,” said Moore.
“It was only a small section, about four by four metres. We were all keen to play, but to be fair to the referee, he has to think about safety, so it was probably the right decision.”
However, the lack of a game failed to harm the Railwaymen’s lead at the top of the division as fourth placed Newton Aycliffe defeated second placed Guisborough in a top of the table clash, ensuring Shildon maintained their eleven point lead without playing.
In victory, Aycliffe leapfrogged Morpeth to take over third place, still fifteen points behind Shildon but with four games in hand – enough to climb within three points of the leaders whom they still have to play at home in April.
Meanwhile, Morpeth, who were not on league duty, had yet another FA Vase match cancelled, which will now be played instead this Saturday, 27th February, causing another league fixture to be delayed.
The Highwaymen did, however, play on Tuesday evening, 24th February, at Consett, where they took on Durham City in their first league match since November.
Running away 4-0 winners they returned to third place ahead of Aycliffe who, on the same evening failed to capitalise on their weekend victory as they sank to a home defeat against Seaham Red Star.
Aycliffe remain fifteen points behind Shildon, but now cannot catch them were they to share similar results before their April meeting.
Guisborough too failed to win away at Whitley Bay on Tuesday night, dropping two points in a 1-1 draw to reduce Shildon’s lead by a solitary point to ten.
However, the Priorymen have played the same number of games as Shildon and their last two results look to have put paid to their title challenge.
With Guisborough and Aycliffe slipping back, it increasingly looks like Morpeth, with seven games in hand, are the greatest threat to Shildon’s title hopes.
As the Crier goes to press, Shildon prepare for a Wednesday evening home tie against Jarrow Roofing which could, with victory, extend their lead at the top of the table to thirteen points.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
