With the new Northern League football season just a few weeks away, reigning champions, Shildon AFC have started their pre-season preparations with two friendlies in the past week and in a statement of intent, the side scored a cumulative thirteen goals to no reply.
On Friday 15th July, the opening pre-season friendly took place at Tow Law’s Ironworks Road ground and after a benign first half which witnessed just one goal, Shildon unleashed several of their acclaimed under 18 squad players, who tore Tow Law apart with a seven-goal blitz in 20 second-half minutes.
All the goals were scored by established first-team players, but undoubtedly the energy and enthusiasm ofthe youngsters played a significant part in the second-half scoreline.
The goals in the eventual 8-0 rout came from Connor (4), Greulich-Smith (54), Rae (53, 59, 71), Moore (65, 68) and Bell (73).
On Monday, the Railwaymen had their first outing on the pristine Dean Street surface and again scored heftily while keeping a clean sheet against Durham City, who were relegated to the second division last season.
As well as the first team, there were outing for more of the under 18s with Chris Bell impressing so much that he has been brought permanently into the first team after signing a contract on Monday evening.
Shildon raced into a four goal first half lead with Lewis Dodds opening the scoring with a flying header in the 9th minute.
Mickey Rae added another two to his sizzling start to pre-season, notching the second in 22 minutes and the fourth in 37.
Lewis Wing scored in between Rae’s double while club captain, Daniel Moore rounded off the scoring with a lobbed goal in the 80th minute.
This weekend (23rd and 24th July), Shildon travel to Scotland to take part in a two-day weekend tournament against three Scottish Junior sides.
Then, on Saturday 30th, they will attempt to defend the JR Cleator Cup – the traditional curtain-raiser to the Northern League season – when they take on Marske United at Dean Street with a 3pm kick off.
Shildon won the cup 2-0 last season against the same opposition.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.





