SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER SHILDON 2-0 ASHINGTON
 

TEAM,sPENCE, HOWARTH, MASON, CLARKE, PTAK, CLOUGH, MOORE, BULLYMENT, MASTERS, JURY, NIVEN
SUBS - EMSON,ANKERS, COWAN, GREDZIAK.

After the magnificent performance midweek against Billingham Synthonia, Shildon travelled to Ashington who had been showing decent form of late.  Shildon made a couple of changes, Gary Bullyment started in midfield for the suspended Dion Raitt, John Jury took the number 10 shirt after striker Wayne Gredziak was forced to sit out the game due to injury.  The passing movement looked good  from the start from Shildon but it was Ashingon who had the first attempt on goal in the 13th minute.  Bullyment looked comfortable in midfield and when his clever pass found Masters down the right flank, the striker did well to cut the ball back into the box for Stuart Niven whose shot was just inches wide.  Ashington started to press but the Shildon defence kept their cool and always tried to play themselves out of danger.  Big Tom Ptak went close with a header off a set piece in the 25th minute and Simpson did well to save.  Stuart Niven had a golden opportunity in the 30th minute after some great work by Tyson Masters but sadly Stuart Niven's shot went just wide.  The improvement Shildon have made since the Salford nightmare was excellent with the Railwaymen finishing the 1st half the stronger side.

Half Time  Ashington 0-0  Shildon

Ashington started the second half at a much higher tempo, they went close in the 47th minute but somehow Shildon managed to clear the ball off the line.  John Jury lost possession in midfield gifting the ball to the opponents, Milligans 20 yard effort rattled the crossbar and was a wake up call for the away side.  Tyson Masters worked his socks off as ever and went close in the 52nd minute at the back post.  Ashington did push Shildon without creating a quality chance and the Railwaymen made the most of Ashington's inabililty to find the back of the net.  Shildon got their goal in the 63rd minute.  Andy Howarth who was having a storming game playing as a right wing back played a superb left footed ball into the back post, Masters looked as if he got a slight touch to the ball as it nestled in the bottom corner of the net.  Whoever claims the goal after the game will be interesting to know.  Just 2 minutes later Niven's corner was met by Tom Ptak who headed the ball past the helpless keeper and defender to put Shildon two goals ahead.  Ashington almost pulled a goal straight back but Andrew Spence made a great save  to deny the home side.  Adam Emson almost scored with his first touch after coming off the bench but somehow Ashington managed to clear the danger.  Shildon finished the game looking like a side starting to believe in themselves passing the ball and trying to build play up instead of just playing long ball football which as proven by England does not work.

Full Time  Ashington 0 - 2 Shildon

MATCH STATS

BOOKINGS
NONE

GOALS
MASTERS OR HOWARTH 63, PTAK, 65

SUBS
EMSON FOR JURY 70 MINS

COWAN FOR HOWARTH 80 MINS

ANKERS FOR NIVEN 80 MINS