With two games remaining in the league season, a narrow weekend win for Shildon over Whitley Bay kept the side’s slim title hopes alive, although leaders Redcar, with an insurmountable goal difference, need just one more win from their remaining games to seal the top prize.
The solitary goal in Shildon’s game came from a direct free kick, converted from 25 yards by Nathan Greenwood in the 15th minute.
However, it was the visitors who almost took an early lead in six minutes, but Jake Forster saw his effort cannon back off the upright.
The home side could have doubled the lead just ten minutes after scoring, when they were awarded a penalty, but Dan Gladstone in the visiting goal did well to push Adam Lennox’s low shot away.
Another strong penalty shout for Shildon prior to the break was waved away by the referee, although it looked to all in attendance a more obvious claim than the first award.
With the game in the balance, the visitors pushed for an equaliser, forcing a saving challenge by Tom Price, and with Shildon appearing content to defend their precarious lead, the home side were relieved to see a Callum Larmouth free kick fly narrowly wide with 11 minutes remaining.
The Railwaymen held out for the remining time to collect all three points and immediately after the final whistle, the referee produced a red card for Bay striker Mackenzie Sharpe after an altercation with the Shildon bench.
A more disappointing aftermath for the hosts was the news from Newcastle that fifth-place Blue Star were unable to halt the Redcar march to the title with the away side comfortably winning 3-1 on the road to leave themselves within one more win of claiming the league trophy and the one automatic promotion spot.
Shildon host Birtley Town this weekend while Redcar could clinch the league at home to third-place Blyth Town.
The Railwaymen will then travel to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Tuesday to take on Whickham in the Durham Challenge Cup final.
Tickets for the match can be bought online by following the link in the advert, right.
Meanwhile, the Northern League has announced that this year’s League Cup final will be played at the home of Shildon’s visitors this weekend, Birtley Town.
The match will take place on Easter Monday, 21 April – two days after the final game of the regular league season – with kick-off at 3pm.
Admission fees for the final, and for the end of season play-offs has been set by the league at £8 for adults, £5 concessions (over 65) and £2 for children (under 16).
The dates for the play-off matches has also been set, and with Shildon guaranteed to finish second – should they not finish top – they will play the fifth placed club at Dean Street on Saturday 26 April with the winners going on to the play-off final on Friday 2 May.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
