Shildon took two attempts to reach the next round of the FA Cup after Birtley Town forced a replay with an equaliser in the final minutes of Saturday’s tie on their bouncy and rock hard home surface, reports Wilf Tray.
Although hampered by suspensions and injuries, Shildon took the lead through Andrei Ardelean (14), but were quickly pegged back by James Proctor (19).
Thomas Price looked to have sealed progress in the 63rd minute, until that last gasp equaliser by Charlie Armin (88).
However, after a goalless first half, Shildon sparked into life and took control of the replay, at Crook Town.
Ardelean again gave Shildon the lead (57) and Birtley again quickly levelled, this time through a Ciaran Banks own goal (59).
However, a devastating spell for four goals in twelve minutes through Gary Brown (71), Jon Weirs (75), Luke Spalding (78) and Ben Reay (83) put an end to Birtley’s resistance, albeit the visitors recorded a consolation last minute goal through Alex Francis for a final score of 5-2.
Shildon will now travel to Northwich in Cheshire on Saturday 30 August to take on Witton Albion of the Northern Premier League West in the First Qualifying Round.
The tie will mean Shildon’s league fixture that day, also scheduled to have been at Birtley, will need to be rearranged.
But before then, the Railwaymen will begin their FA Vase campaign this weekend, when they take on Northern League Second Division side, Durham United at Durham University’s Maiden Castle Sports Centre.
United are currently third from bottom of the Second Division after seven games, having won promotion to the division in 24/25 as champions of the Wearside League.
Then, next Tuesday evening, they travel to Northallerton on league duty, with kick-off at 7.30pm.
Wilf Tray
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
