MONDAY 8TH AUGUST WEST AUCKLAND TOWN 1-1 SHILDON
 
Shildon travelled to neighbours West Auckland for their second game in 3
days,not for the first time it was Shildon's Adam Emson who had the first
chance in the first minute of the match. Again his finish let him down, with
the West keeper commited and almost on his back Emson blasted his shot into
him when he could of just chipped him. West took the lead in the 11th minute
after an awful decison from the linesman,West took a freekick which was half
met by a West player who had fouled Spence in the Shildon goal, the ball
looked like it had crossed the line but the linesman had flagged for the
foul on Spence, but to everyone's surprise after consulting the Referee,
decided to change his mind and award a goal, a truly embarrassing mistake
which put the home side in the lead. A minute later Shildon almost hit back
but again Emson`s shot was well saved. Blustery conditions coupled with a
poor playing surface mean't that decent passing moves were few and far
between, but in the 21st minute Tyson Masters scored a superb counter attack
goal. Andrew Spence punched clear a West corner which Masters bravely headed
on to Adam Emson , Emson sprinted clear with Masters on the overlap, and
played Masters in who finished in style to give Shildon a much deseved goal.
For the remainder of the first half it was Shildon who looked the more
likely to score, former West player Dion Raitt came close but his 29th
minute save never troubled the West keeper, a minute later Emson burst on
the left flank skinning a couple of West defenders on the way but his cross
was spooned wide by Niven. The home side did create one effort in the 37th
minute that didn't trouble Spence.
HALF TIME SHILDON 1-1 WEST AUCKLAND
 
Both sides struggled to get going in the second half, West seemed quite
happy just to lump long balls to their forwards which Hall and Hutton dealt
with easily. Stuart Niven had an effort in the 55th minute but again lacked
any real conviction, the game became very scappy with Shildon started
hitting long balls as well which killed the game as a spectacle for both set
of supporters. To be fair to Shildon they did try to change their approach
and try and get the ball down and play, Dion Raitt hit a screamer in the
65th minute which warmed the hands of the West keeper and for the next
twenty minutes looked as if they could make the most of their possession. In
the 79th minute Niven went close with a free kick from 25 yards and Karl
Everitt had a long range effort in the 86th minute which lacked power. The
last chance of the game fell to Adam Emson in the dying seconds but again
the young striker failed to hit the target. Despite gaining an away point it
was a a game well within the reaches of winning for Shildon who have just
two points from four league matches and with injuries and suspensions bound
to kick in need desperatley to strengthen the squad as the gap begins to
increase at the top end of the table.
FULL TIME SHILDON 1-1 WEST AUCKLAND
 
MATCH STATS
 
GOALS - MASTERS 28 mins
BOOKINGS - EVERITT 70 mins
SUBS - LOUDEN FOR MASTERS 68 mins, WHENSLEY FOR HALL 70 mins