Shildon
AFC journeyed from Co. Durham to play PSF on consecutive days,
spending the evening between the games at Eastwood Hall. Selston
midfield player Ben Moore’s brother Daniel plays for the
Railwaymen, and I have to assume this link was one of the reasons for
their trip into the heart of Nottinghamshire. Friday’s
game against Basford Utd was a very entertaining affair, ending up
all square at 2-2, whilst Selston ended up on the wrong end of a 1-4
scoreline in the Saturday fixture.
Basford v Shildon AFC (Friday 21st July k.o. 7:30pm)
This
game had a very cautious start, but even after just 20 minutes it was
obvious the hosts were not going to have things all their own way. Basford did take the lead on 22 after a rash challenge on Kieren
Wells gave the ref no alternative other than to award a penalty that Ben
Hutchinson fired into the bottom corner. H-T 1-0
Shildon
didn’t let their heads drop, and after the break kept playing their
crisp passing game and were rewarded on 53 when Cameron Fenton
levelled the scores. A few minutes later they were ahead after Micky
Rae fired past Deeney. Basford
were level again on 76, a soft spot kick given by the ref after a
seemingly harmless challenge on Callum Smith by keeper Liveredge. Hutchinson
stepped up again, and once again fired the ball into the bottom
corner. F-T 2-2
Selston
FC v Shildon AFC (Saturday 22nd July k.o. 2:50pm)
Selston
were without several key players, and their makeshift back line was
always going to struggle against Shildon, even though they had to
manage without five of their first team who had to return home for
various reasons. Daniel
“Bobby” Moore took just 10 minutes to inflict a wound on his brother, firing home a drive that flew past the outstretched arm of
Selston keeper Jake Ball.
The visitors doubled their advantage on the
half hour mark, Lewis Dodds hammering a shot at goal from 25 yards
that flew through the keepers gloves.On
37, Ben Moore thought he’d netted for Selston, but his delicate 20
yard chip over the keeper crashed agonisingly against the bar before
being hacked to safety. Selston did reduce their arrears though just
before half time when the visiting keeper failed to hold on to a Carl
Moore shot, leaving the striker a simple tap into an empty net. H-T
1-2
It
took Shildon just three minutes to restore their two goal lead, Adam
Burnicle was played in on goal and he had the relatively simple task
of rolling the ball past Selston keeper Ball. The “home” team
offered very little in the second half, and even when their guests
went down to 10 men they still had enough to grab a fourth. Burnicle was again the scorer, stroking the ball home after he had been played in
unmarked some 20 yards from goal. F-T 1-4
Over
the two games, both Kev and I were very impressed with Shildon who
look a very good all round footballing outfit. They passed the ball
for fun and even though they play in the Northern League Div One, step five in the
national league system, they gave step four Basford a good run out,
and dealt with step six Selston very comfortably. Had a chat to one
or two of the Shildon faithful and talk about genuine, passionate
people! They really love their club and I for one wish them all the success in the world……...
A little worse for wear!
0-1
0-2
0-3
