SATURDAY 15TH MARCH SHILDON 4-2   BEDLINGTON TERRIERS

TEAM. CUMMINS, COWAN, MASON,HUTTON,PTAK,MOORE, NIVEN,RAITT,MASTERS,GREDZIAK,EMSON: SUBS, BULLYMENT, ANKERS,RADU,ORD,JURY

Shildon welcomed back Stuart Niven, John Hutton and Chris Mason into the side, Ben Cummins replaced the injured Andrew Spence in goal. Manager Gary Forrest continued to play with three up front as Shildon looked towards a top eight finish. Disaster struck in the 2nd minute when Bedlington took the lead, a back pass to Cummins caused chaos and gifted the visitors with a simple chance to take the lead. Shildon needed to settle their nerves and in the 12th minute Wayne Gredziak got his head on the end of a Niven corner to draw the sides level. The home side began to calm down and looked more then capable of winning the match, Tyson Masters missed a sitter after 21 minutes when he found himself one on one. Just six minutes later Masters did manage to find the back of the net with some style, after great build up play by Niven and Gredziak  his tremendous volley nestled in the back of the net. Shildon were on fire and just a minute later Adam Emson found the back of the net with a stunning right foot finish which gave the Bedlington keeper no chance. Stuart Niven got in on the action in the 38th minute , a good lay off my Masters was finished well by Niven to put Shildon 4-1 in front inside the first 40 minutes. Bedlington were thrown a lifeline in the 43rd minute when the lineman somehow did not notice a Bedlington player at least 4 yards of the , he raced through and slotted the ball past Cummins much to the anger of the Shildon bench. Substitute Gary Ankers was red carded after he protested to the linesman for failing to spot the offside much to the disbelief of the home supporters. Shildon fished the half much stronger and hopes for more goals in the second looked like a real possibility.

HALF TIME SHILDON 4-2 BEDLINGTON TERRIERS

The Railwaymen made two half time changes with Dion Raitt and Tom Ptak making way for Gary Bullyment and Simon Ord. Defender Chris Mason had the first attempt on goal of the second half in the 46th minute with a decent header which the visiting Keeper had to deal with. Bedlington looked devoid of attacking ideas as Shildon continued to press, Emson went close in the 49th minute with a shot after a strong run. As the half went on it became clear that we were not going to treated to a goal feast as we had in the first half, Mason was unlucky for the second time in the 58th minute header with a close range header. Adam Emson had the best chance of the second half with a 67th minute shot which crashed against the post. Veteran striker Dean Gibb came off the bench for Bedlington looking to give the away side more bite upfront but never really threaten to worry the Shildon back line. Tyson Master had the final chance of the game in the 85th minute , from an acute angle to striker tried to place the ball past the keeper with the outside of his right foot but his clever effort went just inches wide. A good win for Shildon which must be particularly pleasing for manger Gary Forrest after all three strikers found the back of the net.

FULL TIME SHILDON 4-2 BEDLINGTON TERRIERS

GOALS:

GREDZIAK 12, MASTERS 27, EMSON 28, NIVEN 38.

SUBS

ORD/PTAK 45

BULLYMENT/ RAITT 45

JURY/ EMSON 86

BOOKINGS

ANKERS ( SUB) SENT OFF 44

MASON 60 YELLOW CARD

GREDZIAK 61 YELLOW CARD.