Shildon AFC keep their league title challenge on track after a close encounter with high flying 3rd placed Marske United on Saturday 17th February.
The Railwaymen were 2 – 1 winners after a 90th minute penalty gave the home side all three points.
Shildon were ahead after 10 minutes when a right wing corner from Ben Wood found Billy Greulich-Smith, who headed into the top corner of the net from six yards out.
Marske levelled just five minutes later when a corner by Josh Macdonald was pushed out by keeper Kyle Hayes. Shildon’s Paul Connor thought he had cleared the returned ball off the line, but the assistant referee said Thomas Bott’s shot had crossed the line.
It was an open game with chances from both sides. Marske’s Josh Macdonald, looking well offside, was clean through but Kyle Hayes made a great block with his feet.
For Shildon, Micky Rae had a one-on-one with Marske keeper, Robert Dean who also blocked well with his feet.
Half Time: Shildon AFC 1 Marske United 1.
On the hour a Ben Wood scissor kick went just wide, before Wood was through on goal but keeper Dean again saved the day.
For Marske, a Darren Hollingsworth power drive was stopped by Shildon keeper, Kyle Hayes.
After a Billy Greulich-Smith header and Mark Doninger firing into the side netting from 6 yards out, it looked like the game would end up all square, but on the 90th minute, Adam Wheatley handled in the box for a penalty which Lee Scroggins blasted into the roof of the net.
Shortly after the goal there was a massive fracas with several players from both sides involved, but remarkably, no one was booked. The game finished on 97 minutes.
Final Score: Shildon AFC 2 Marske United 1
Goalscorers: Greulich-Smith 10, Scroggins 90.
Subs: Doninger for Rae 38, Ellison for Connor 90.
Bookings: (Y) Chapman 42.
Man-of-the-Match: Billy Greulich-Smith.
After the match manager Gary Forrest said: “It was a good solid team performance today against a very good side.
“We kept our shape, and they never really hurt us, and to be fair, it was a soft goal. We edged it on the day and deserved to win”.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
