SHILDON AFC 3-0 WEST AUCKLAND TOWN

(Tuesday 26 December, 11:00PM)

A weakened West side were outfought in a Boxing Day derby with Shildon as they suffered a third straight defeat.

Brian Fairhurst stoked up the rivalries with a late challenge in the 6th minute that warranted a yellow card.  Michael Heckley then went into the back of a forward on the edge of the area a minute later and from the resulting free kick, Stuart Niven coolly slotted home a low shot through the wall.  West Auckland tried to hit instantly back with Dale Jardine’s ball across the box finding Lee Ellison at the back post but his shot off the outside of his foot only ruffled the side netting.  Tom Ptak then missed the ball in the 15th minute allowing Mattie Moffat possession and after twisting and turning the defender, saw his low shot well held. 

Andy Jennings saw a 21st minute header saved before a couple of minutes later a good build up saw Karl Everitt flash a shot just wide following Moffat’s layoff to him from Jardine’s cross.  Jason Newall scuffed a shot wide whilst Tom Ptak saw a header end up the wrong side of the net as the hosts tried to add a crucial second.  Danny Richmond tried to inspire a West equaliser but he was tripped by Ptak when running down the touchline in a promising counter attack.  Ian Maddison nearly found a way through but keeper Andrew Spence palmed the ball away before the midfielder could reach it.

The usually prolific Adam Emson was being kept quiet by a makeshift back four that included defensive midfielder Brian Fairhurst as centre back, Gerard Wraith starting only his second game for the club and winger Kevin Bromley playing as left back.  However he exploded into life in the second half – he found himself clear early on only to be denied by Fairhurst however 3 minutes into the half, Emson should have doubled the lead when he chipped wide and high with Mark Bell in no mans land.  He also saw another shot go wide before Andy Jennings headed Shildon into a two goal lead.  A 53rd minute corner was headed back goal wards and two Shildon players battled for the final flick into the net.  Worse was too follow when in the 60th minute Adam Emson’s run on the left wing saw his cross fly over Bell and into the net to send the home crowd into raptures.  Wraith denied Emson with a good last ditch tackle before Andrew Spence thwarted a couple of West attacks by palming the ball clear.  From one of these Kevin Bromley tried a shot that was just over, but did gain a free kick after being fouled in the process.  Manager and sub David Bayles could only shoot into the wall to cap a frustrating day for West that saw them create little up front whilst concede some poor goals.

Team
    1 Mark Bell
    2 Michael Heckley
    3 Kevin Bromley
    4 Gerard Wraith
    5 Brian Fairhurst
    6 Karl Everitt
       (14. Davd Bayles 85 mins)
    7 Lee Ellison
       (12. Darren Kokes 62 mins)
    8 Danny Richmond
    9 Mattie Moffat
   10 Ian Maddison
   11 Dale Jardine
        (13. Andy Cole)

Sub Not Used
    15 David Moffat