Shildon AFC put in a decent performance away at league leaders, Whitley Bay, albiet ultimately ending in a 2-0 defeat, writes Wilf Tray.
The visitors found themselves on top for long periods without managing to put the ball into the net.
That the Whitley Bay goalkeeper collected the man of the match award with an excellent performance, making numerous top class saves, says much for Shildon’s efforts.
The Railwaymen were let down by defensive sloppiness, losing possession in dangerous positions which resulted in conceding both goals.
Afterwards, Shildon manager Chris Hughes said that he couldn’t fault his players’ effort on the day.
“We’ve just got to take it on the chin and move on,” he said.
The result sees Shildon slip to seventh in the table and are now a full nine points behind the leaders, although with two games in hand.
With no midweek game game this week, Shildon move on to an FA Vase tie on Saturday against Longridge Town, which will be played at Crook Town.
Founded in 1996 in Preston, Saturday’s visitors worked their way through the Preston and District league to the Lancashire league then progressed through the North West Counties leagues to the Premier Division.
Town have slipped to 14th in the table aftertheir last two matches ended in defeat.
They were on the wrong end of an eight-goal thriller at the weekend, going down 5-3 away from home at Pilkington in front of a crowd of just 57. Then, on Tuesday evening, they fell to a 1-2 home defeat to lowly Barnoldswick Town, who struck the winner in the 94th minute.
If Saturday’s game is drawn, it will be decided by penalty kicks after 90 minutes.
It will be followed at 7.30pm on Tuesday evening with a league visit to 14th place Birtley Town.
Wilf Tray
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
