The 41-year wait is over and Shildon AFC are once more Champions of Durham!
A stunning late comeback with two Billy Greulich-Smith goals snatched the Durham FA Challenge Cup from Spennymoor Town’s grasp at Central Avenue Stadium in Billingham on Good Friday.
Spennymoor took a 1-0 lead into the interval when Keith Graydon scored just before the break and it must have looked like their name was on the cup when Ben Wood’s goal just after the restart was ruled out for offside.
With 15 minutes remaining, Spennymoor could have wrapped the match up, but the woodwork prevented them doubling their lead.
It was a chink of hope for Shildon, and with just eight minutes remaining, the Railwaymen forced their way back into the game when Billy Greulich-Smith equalised.
With extra time looming, up popped Billy again to turn the game on its head and give Shildon the lead with seconds remaining!
“Congratulations to Gary, Stuart, Phil, Keith, Dean and Amy and all the lads for a magnificent effort and thank you to all the fans who turned out to support the side, as well as all the fans looking out for updates around the world on a day that will be written permanently into the history of Shildon Football Club,” said a spokesperson for the Club.
After the match manager Gary Forrest said, “I thought the first half was a fairly even thing. At half time I told the players don’t be frightened to get beaten. Go out there and have a go, which they did. I thought we were the better side in the 2nd half and on the day we deserved to win.”
For the full match report click here.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
