Shildon AFC travelled to F.A. Vase winners Spennymoor Town on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August, and came away second best, being beaten 4-2.
In the first five minutes, Spenny’s Gavin Cogdon was brought down in the box for a blatant penalty, but the referee waved play on.
Two minutes later, Keith Graydon was also fouled in the box. This time the referee awarded the spot-kick to make up for his earlier mistake. It was taken by Spenny’s No 9 Liam Henderson, whose shot was saved by keeper Graham Lewis, but the ball rebounded not once, but three times before Henderson finally headed in from five yards.
Spennymoor looked the better side and increased their lead on 25 minutes when a Lewis Dodd’s cross-cum-shot from the left went over keeper Lewis into the far corner of the net. Shildon never troubled Spenny in the first half and were second best.
Half Time: Spennymoor Town 2 Shildon 0.
After the break, the Railwaymen couldn’t have wished for a better start, scoring straight from the kick-off. With Spenny’s defence standing asleep, a long ball found Billy Greulich-Smith who fired over keeper Kyle Hayes.
Five minutes later it was all square when a long through-ball sent Ben Wood down the right. He beat his man and scored a cracking goal, firing into the bottom corner.
Shildon gained momentum and Lee Scroggins should have given them the lead when he was clean through, and with only the keeper to beat, he blasted over.
Spenny always looked dangerous however, and just after the hour they were ahead again when a right cross was easily tapped in by Gavin Cogdon.
On 76 minutes Spenny sealed the win when Liam Henderson scored a great goal from long range. Near the end, Spenny’s Keith Graydon hit the bar from 25 yards out.
Final Score Spennymoor Town FC 4 Shildon AFC 2.
Goalscorers: Greulich-Smith 46, Wood 50.
Subs: Hodgson for Brackstone 32, Buzzeo for Richardson 85.
Bookings: (Y) Wood 18.
Man-of-the-Match: Ben Wood.
A spokesperson for Shildon AFC commented, “The best side won today. Spenny passed the ball around much better than Shildon and always looked dangerous on the attack.”
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
