Shildon AFC kept up their winning momentum with a comfortable away win at bottom side, Whickham, reports Wilf Tray.
As comfortable as it may have been, it still took a fine performance in difficult conditions, with a swirling wind and a very bobbly pitch to secure the points.
Shildon started well and went ahead after only five minutes when Luke Spalding raced through the defence and fired past the goalkeeper.
Just one minute later it was 2-0 when the same player scored a nearly identical goal, outpacing the defence and shooting into the corner of the net.
Shildon continued to dominate, but had to be wary as Kiaran Hunter had to make a couple of saves to keep the home side out.
The second half followed much the same trajectory as the first, and Shildon went further ahead on 52 minutes when, after a good move down the right, Max Allen crossed for captain Jon Weirs to tap in.
Three minutes later it was 4-0 as Ciaran Banks ran through the defence and blasted an unstoppable shot past the home goalkeeper.
Shildon continued to press and Luke Spalding completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute.
Shildon missed numerous chances to bolster their goal difference but left the Glebe Sports Ground satisfied with five goals scored and none conceded.
The Railwaymen move up a notch in the league table to fourth, six points behind the leaders, Whitley Bay, but with two games in hand over each of the top three.
Anticipation and excitement is now building towards the grand re-opening of Dean Street on Saturday, when Thornaby will be the first guests to be entertained at the newly revamped ground.
Shildon will then have a further four games away from home as they travel over the coming weeks in cup and league fixtures before playing all of their home games in the second half of the season.
Next midweek they travel to Sunderland RCA as they begin their defense of the Durham Challenge Cup, then to Penrith and Easington Colliery on league duty before visiting Irlam for the FA Vase 1st Round and returning to Dean Street on 21 October.
Wilf Tray
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
