Railwaymen take derby day revenge to go top of the table
Shildon AFC survived a late rally at Heritage Park to defeat their local and title rivals, Bishop Auckland FC and blow the Northern League Division One title race wide open.
The Railwaymen raced into a 0-2 first half lead before their hosts pulled a goal back with fifteen minutes to play.
Bishops then hit the woodwork twice before Joe Posthill sealed the win with a breakaway goal four minutes from time.
The victory catapulted Shildon to the top of the table on gol difference and into the automatic promotion spot after their rivals had led the division for the bulk of the season.
A saving grace for the Two Blues is that they have one game in hand over Shildon (Bishops have six to play and Shildon just five), but the win surely heaps all the pressure on the side from
Heritage Park.
Revenge
Shildon will also see the victory as sweet revenge for their shock 1-5 home defeat to Bishops on Boxing Day, a result that caused most observers to write off any chance the Railwaymen had of automatic promotion.
With games being called off across the region on a wet Easter Monday, the Heritage Park pitch held up to the weather and the high-stakes derby was rewarded with a bumper crowd of 1,102.
The hosts got the title battle underway and created the first chance of the game, producing a good save from Shildon stopper, Josh Mazfari.
However, it was the Railwaymen who found their way to the target first when David Vincent put the visitors in front in the 18th minute with a perfectly placed effort from the edge of the box.
Ten minutes before half time, Joe Posthill won yet another penalty for his side after being brought down by Bishops keeper, Ryan Catterick.
Posthill got up to take the spot kick, while the keeper got up after treatment to his hand to save it. However, Ben Reay was first to the rebound to add to his weekend hat-trick and ensure Shildon went to the interval two goals to the good.
While the second half began quietly, inevitably, the long-term league leaders rallied, and with just 15 minutes remaining, substitute Liam Henderson popped up to head powerfully home after a deep cross was misjudged by the Shildon defence.
On came the onslaught and Shildon had to survive the Two Blues hitting the woodwork twice.
Three minutes after the goal Henderson again rose to head a cross from the right, but this time found the underside of the bar before bouncing clear.
Five minutes later it was Louis Johnson’s turn to be denied by the woodwork as the forward’s off-balance effort cannoned off the post.
A minute after that it was game over, but title race well and truly on, when the home side were unable to deal with a long ball forward and Joe Posthill was fed through to slot past the keeper at his near post.
The result was Shildon’s twelfth win in a row and lifts them into top spot on goal difference at the most vital moment of the season.
Game in hand
All eyes will now be on whether their rivals can hold their nerve and win their game in hand away at Redcar next midweek.
But before then, both sides play this Saturday.
Bishops will travel to rock-bottom whipping boys, Tow Law Town, looking to make a sizeable impact on the goal goal-difference column while Shildon travel to Guisborough, who are currently six points outside the final play-off place for the second promotion spot.
Final week run in
And although there are four games remaining from the following Saturday, the title will be won within a week as all four games must be played within a frantic final seven days of the season.
Of their remaining games, both sides only have one at home and the rest will be on the road.
Shildon will play at home against Birtley Town on Saturday 13 April, then away at Northallerton (Monday 15), Heaton Stannington (Wednesday 17) and again face Birtley on the final day, 20 April.
Bishops will mirror Shildon’s sequence of playing at home first then their final three games on the road.
They will host Whickham on 13 April before travelling to Newcastle Benfield (15th), Crook Town (17th) and finishing up at Carlisle City on the final Saturday.
With Shildon playing four times against current top six sides, it could be argued theirs is the toughest run in. Either way, this finale to an epic season will prove historic for the eventual winners.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
