
West made the short journey to the J Denham Metals Stadium at Dean Street. Shildon are the in form team, their unbeaten run stood at 9 games in all competitions.
New signing Leo Robinson was named in the starting 11 to make his debut, with Charlie Berry among the substitutes. The game got off to the worst possible start for West. Shildon took the lead after 2 minutes with a tap in for striker Billy Greulich-Smith. To West’s credit, they did well to get back into the game. A good ball in to Shildon’s 18 yard box from Adam Mitchell was met by goalkeeper Andrew Jennison whose touch went out for a West corner. Unfortunately, the referee blew the whistle for offside. A couple minute later, Kyle Davis played in Jermaine Metz who was waiting 3 yards out. The ball was just intercepted by Shildon for another West corner. Mitchell’s corner came to nothing. Shildon had a chance to increase their lead after a quarter of an hour. Their shot blasted over the bar. In what was a fairly open game, West were soon down the other end. A great shot from James Harrison, saved well by the keeper, pushed out for another corner. The resulting corner was headed by over by Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth. West got a deserved goal after 30 minutes. Anthony Bell played in James Harrison, who took a couple touches past his defender and fired into the goal. 1-1. That was followed by another West opportunity. Leo Robinson was fouled 20 yards out, Adam Mitchell’s free-kick nearly made it 1-2, but his shot was saved once again by Hennison. James Harrison created one more chance for West before half-time, but his effort was once again stopped by Shildon’s goalkeeper.
West were dealt a further blow only three minutes into the second half. Joey Hope pulled up with an injury, after a solid first half performance. Josh Robertson came on to replace Hope for the second half. Leo Robinson was really starting to make his mark on the game, with two chances 10 minutes into the second half. A dangerous run and effort on 54 minutes, his shot just going over. That was followed by a chance 2 minutes later, Robinson went through again, his effort saved by the keeper, which went out for a corner. The resulting corner was cleared by the keeper. There was a turning point on the hour mark, with Shildon being awarded a penalty. Adam Lennox stepped up and calmly slotted home past Nick Liversedge. Robinson was again involved for West, providing a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box, which was cleared by Shildon. The home team continued to press, and got their third goal on 75 minutes, Billy Greulich-Smith with his second of the game. Charlie Berry replaced Adam Mitchell to make his debut for West on 82 minutes. James Harrison had caused problems for Shildon throughout the game, and had two final chances before full-time. His first was a dazzling run and shot, saved well by the keeper. Then, one final effort which, in the end, came to nothing.
After the game, Captain Anthony Bell gave his thoughts on the defeat to Shildon.
“Today’s result shows us exactly where we are as a squad if we didn’t already know, the table doesn’t lie and we have a monumental task now to try and make the play offs. Shildon deserves credit, they play a certain way and they stick to that game plan, and it puts them top of the league. At any level of football, but especially this one, doing the basics right week in week out will always see you have a fighting chance of promotion/winning trophies come the end of the season, especially with the quality we’ve got. We need to learn that as a group, and as individuals, and maybe then that monumental task of trying to reach the play offs, becomes more realistic. Thank you to the fans that have supported us so far this season and particularly yesterday.”
Full-Time: Shildon 3-1 West Auckland Town
Competition: Northern League Division One
Attendance: 404
Match Report by Phil Dodds
Photos by MJT Photography
Website by Cre8ive Graphics & GreyPhox Digital