Just when it seemed as if Shildon AFC may have turned a corner, their season’s failings returned to haunt them again on Saturday as the side conceded three second half goals to crash to a 4-3 defeat at Birtley Town.
Shildon got quickly down to business, opening the scoring in the second minute through Luke Spalding, and having won their last five in all competitions, the travelling fans will have felt as assured as the players that the run was set to continue.
However, any expectation of a comfortable afternoon ahead were soon dented when the hosts levelled in the 14th minute with Matthew Ward restoring parity.
But it was the Railwaymen who found a second wind, re-taking the lead through Billy Greulich-Smith in the 22nd minute before Adam Lennox widened the gap further from the penalty spot, sending the side into the break with a commanding lead but, ultimately, a false confidence.
Things fell apart within ten minutes of the restart when Shildon first conceded a penalty themselves, converted by James Proctor (54), and within a minute Benjamin Shodeinde drew the sides level again (55).
If fans felt reminded of early season scares, the horror show was fully revived ten minutes from time when Scott Heslop scored Birtley’s fourth to complete an unlikely comeback, albeit the half-time team talk may have reminded the home players of Shildon’s propensity to capitulate under pressure.
And with three sides leapfrogging them in the table, as well as third-place Boro Rangers losing, the loss will have been even more keenly felt.
Shildon must now look to rebuild yet again, starting next weekend with a trip across the Pennines to visit Penrith before facing the difficult midweek task of overcoming Stockton Town – now playing two divisions above the Railwaymen – if they are to progress past the second round of the Durham Challenge Cup. That game takes place on Wednesday at 7.45pm.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
