Dean Street, home of Shildon AFC based in County Durham and play their trade in Step 4 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One East. Nicknamed the “Railwaymen” and with a train on the club badge.
I have only ever come across this club once and that was just under 20 years ago! Shirebrook Town had a fantastic FA Cup run back in the 2003/04 season and were one game away from facing Notts County! Shildon were drawn at home in the last qualifying round and were 1-0 at half time… But lost 3-1…
The ground here at Shildon is known for it’s big old stand and unfortunately there are murmurs that the big stand is closed to spectators… Is this the beginning of the end for the stand? I can’t take any chances! Shildon is the chosen destination for today and they face Cleethorpes Town. Shildon flirting with relegation whereas Cleethorpes still with faint hopes of the play-offs.
To the A1 I go and 2 hours later here I am pulled up on Dean Street. No card on the turnstiles… I have done it again but at least there is time to kill. Into the town to find a cashpoint. A decent little market town they have here.
£9 to watch this Step 4 tie! Mine! Now the search for the clubhouse…… In the main stand it is. Time goes on and the players are ready… Just in time for the rain to come down…
Kick Off! 6 minutes in and Cleethorpes come forward, Curtis Bateson breaks free in the box on the right, he shoots… OH! It’s wide! Big early chance there!
24 minutes now and Cleethorpes come forward again, it’s played to Alex Flett who gets a shot away from outside the box… Keeper stretches and tips it wide for a corner, it’s whipped in… Out for a goal kick… It curled out and back in.
5 minutes later and Cleethorpes hit it long, it comes for Jack McMenemy on the right, he gets into the box and beats his man, he shoots… Side netting! Tame effort in the end… Cleethorpes are creating chances.
37th minute and Shildon come forward from the right, it’s played into the box for Ben Reay to chase, he gets there but slips but Max Allen gets there to shoot… Deflected… Oooooh! It’s wide and out for a corner, in it comes… A high foot by a Shildon man and a free kick is given to Cleethorpes. An uneventful first half ends 0-0…
Second half, 46 minutes now and Cleethorpes hit the ball forward, it’s flicked on to Curtis Bateson who gets into the box and is past the defender, he’s in… And finishes! What a start to the second half for Cleethorpes! 0-1!
65 minutes on the watch and Shildon win the ball back in the Cleethorpes half, it’s played into the box on the left, it’s played across… The defender gets there… And it’s back with the keeper. Could the Shildon man have shot there instead of playing it across? Better from Shildon nonetheless!
76 minutes now and Shildon play a long ball out left, what a ball! The cross comes in, Michael Sweet is there… AND HE GETS IT!! He heads it home and Shildon are level!! 1-1!
85 minutes now and Cleethorpes play forward, Curtis Bateson is played in, he gets into the box, he goes down… The Referee waves it away! He’s unlucky there for me! You definitely see those given! Cleethorpes furious!
2 minutes later and Shildon with the long ball, Joe Posthill gets to it and runs into the box, he’s brought down… That has to be! It is! Penalty! A late challenge by the Cleethorpes defender and it is Shildon who get the decision! It certainly is as clear as they come but Cleethorpes will feel angry about there’s not being given! Michael Sweet will take… AND HE DRILLS IT IN!!! SHILDON LEAD!!!! 2-1!
Shildon fans in great spirits now!
90th minute now and Cleethorpes play it forward looking for Edwin Essel, he plays it forward for Alex Flett, Shildon defence get there… Oh dear the clearance rebounds off him and it’s fallen for him perfectly, he’s in and shoots… OH IT’S SAVED! What a chance! That was it for Cleethorpes right there!
Stoppage time rolls on and Shildon play another long ball, they’re away down the left, it’s played across to Vinnie Steels… TO SEAL THE POINTS FOR SHILDON!!! He rolls it into the bottom corner and Shildon come from a goal down to win 3-1 just like they did at Shirebrook 20 years ago!
FT: Shildon 3-1 Cleethorpes Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 6/10 – Passionate! The Shildon fans certainly were in the second half and you could feel it in the air as the Shildon team pressed in the second half a bit similar to that of Gresley Rovers. Fantastic!
- The Ground: 8.5/10 – It’s all about the old stand for me! Very unique and a terrible shame that I couldn’t get in as it is shut off. The stand at the other side is good as well! Very nice ground with bags of character! Not the best for parking mind…
- Expense: 9/10 – £9 to get in and £30 for fuel, was it worth it? £9 is a bit steep for this level I think but it still was a great game especially in the second half!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – I quite enjoyed that in the end, first half was dull but the second half was exceptional! As we say: “football is a game of 2 halves”.
31.5/40