Shildon AFC scored four goals for the sixth Northern League game in row – which included a Ben Reay hat-trick – to set up a derby showdown with fellow title-chasers, Bishop Auckland FC on Easter Monday.
The home side made easy work of visitors North Shields, scoring twice in each half to pull within three points of the league leaders ahead of Monday’s crucial derby at Heritage Park.
Hat-trick
Reay opened the scoring in the 19th minute, side-footing home after a flowing move carved open the visiting defence.
The forward was on hand again ten minutes later to steal a loose ball before driving into the box and slotting home. And within four minutes of the second half getting underway, Reay picked himself up after being fouled in the box to take over penalty duties from captain Joe Posthill and secure his hat-trick.
With just two minutes remaining, Luke Spalding got in on the act, converting left-footed from 12 yards in a packed box to send the bumper 368 crowd home anticipating a potential season-defining derby on Easter Monday.
Shildon have now scored a remarkable 59 goals in 13 games since the turn of the year, which includes a current 11-game winning run averaging just over five goals a game. However, their title rivals and have kept similar pace, winning 11 and drawing two of their 13 in 2024.
Showdown
The Railwaymen’s victory on Saturday means they now lead in the goal-difference and goals scored columns, while the Two Blues know that a home win on Monday could all but seal the title and a promotion the club has craved since its return to the Northern League in 2006. Shildon, on the other hand, will be hoping for the result that catapults them to the top of the table and exerts maximum pressure on their rivals.
The last derby of such magnitude at Heritage Park took place almost a decade ago, when Shildon finally claimed their first title for 76 years. Unlike this season, Bishop Auckland weren’t in the running then, making this looming game, kicking off at Heritage Park at 3pm, arguably the most important league encounter between the sides in living memory.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
