Shildon started the festive period with a tough game against Seaham Red Star, Adam Emson almost made it a perfect start in the 2nd minute but his chance went just wide. The game was turned on its head in a five minute spell , Red Star scored in the 6th and 8th minute after some sloppy defending from the home side. Shildon looked shell shocked as Red Star looked like they were going to run away with the game. It took Red Star until the 22nd minute to add to their lead, a cross  field ball caught Shildon out and Red Star pounced to go three goals ahead in less then thirty minutes. Shildon did pass the ball well but never really troubled Red Star who seemed happy for the home side to keep possession .  Red Stars tactics almost paid off when Mendum was caught out, a Red Star player burst through into the area and was alleged to has been fouled. Andrew Spence made a fine save to his left from the resulting penalty to give Shildon a lifeline. Things got worse for the home side in the 42nd minute when defender Chris Mason was sent off for his second bookable offence. Finally on the stroke of half time Shildon got a decision in their favour after a Red Star player handled  in the box, Karl Everitt stepped up to fire the ball home and give Shildon a glimmer of hope.

HALF TIME SHILDON 1-3 SEAHAM RED STAR.

The second half started much better for Shildon despite being a man down, Emson had a shot well wide in the 52nd minute, Shildon kept the ball well but again were hit on the break in the 54th minute with another cross field ball to give Red Star the chance to increase their lead to 4-1. Red Star then missed a couple of great chances with the home side struggling to cope with thier one man advantage. Stuart Niven tried as always to create openings but with a certain section of supporters on his back became ever more frustrated. Wayne Gredziak came off the bench and worked tirelessly to try and get Shildon back into the game, his great turn and shot in the 71st minute deserved better. Dion Raitt`s effort went just wide after some good football from Shildon. Red Star again seemed happy to soak up the pressure and hit Shildon on the break, again it paid off in the 83rd minute when they increased their lead  to put the game out of sight for Shildon. To Shildon's credit they battled till the end and in the 86th minute were awarded another penalty after Raitt was hacked down in the box, once again Everitt stepped up to blast the ball home. A disappointing result in a game which slipped away from Shildon in the first ten minutes, hopefully ALL Shildon supporters will get behind the lads for the upcoming local derbies against West Auckland and Bishop over the Christmas period.

FINAL SCORE SHILDON 2-5 SEAHAM RED STAR.