Shildon AFC ended 2022 with a vital 2-1 away win at North Shields to keep their hopes of escaping relegation alive.
And while they began the new year with a comprehensive 3-0 home loss to second-place Stockton Town, it is the Boxing Day result against relegation rivals that will give the Railwaymen a positive focus going in to the second half of the league campaign.
Postponements
After a month of weather-related postponements, Shildon travelled to North Shields on Boxing Day for their first outing since a 1-1 home draw with Grimsby Borough on 19 November.
A goalless first half provided opportunities for both sides to take the lead, but it was Shildon who came closest when Billy Greulich-Smith’s 38th minute effort crashed off the underside of the bar.
The ball appeared to bounce over the line, but neither assistant or referee were convinced.
It could have been a damaging decision against the Railwaymen in their battle to avoid relegation and appeared doubly so when the home side took the lead ten minutes into the second half.
A simple ball over the top was latched on to by Regan Paterson, who outran the defence before slotting high past a helpless Harrison Bond in the Shildon goal.
On the hour, Shields fashioned a glorious chance to double the lead, but a brilliant last ditch tackle from Patrick Almond prevented Paul Van-Zandvliet taking the strike.
Turning-point
It proved a turning-point in the game and just eight minutes later, Shildon were level through Joe Posthill.
A half-cleared corner was collected by the diminutive winger who turned his marker before weaving his way into the box and slotting home.
The visitors were on the ascendancy and quickly created another three good chances, all of which were squandered.
However, they remained resolute, continued to fashion opportunities, and were rewarded fifteen minutes from time when Billy Greulich-Smith rose to power a header back across the keeper and into the corner of the net.
Shildon hung on for a crucial win and with all around them dropping points, narrowed the gap to their nearest rivals to just two points with a game in hand.
Boost
While the win gave the side a boost in confidence, finding a positive result at home on Monday afternoon against Stockton Town, the league’s second best side, proved a forlorn hope.
The Anchors, 25 points better off than their hosts, took the lead in the second minute and were two ahead within the opening twenty.
Restricting the promotion hopefuls to just one more goal in the 70th minute was perhaps as positive a gloss as could be painted on the result.
Next up is a trip to sixth-place Dunston on Saturday and a midweek trip to Sheffield before a run of three home games.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
