GUISBOROUGH
TOWN V SHILDON
The first game ended 1-1; by all accounts
Shildon dominated but after scoring an early penalty could only add to it with
a late own goal!
The grandly named King George V Stadium is a
small but neat and tidy ground with cover available along sections of each
touchline, hopefully not needed tonight as early rain has cleared to give blue
skies and the promise of a fine, moonlit evening. Red and white paintwork
reflects Guisborough’s striped shirts, as the teams emerge to “The Boys Are
Back In Town”. Shildon are in blue shirts with a rugby league style white V.
Shildon are clearly out to finish the job
and take a firm grip on the game. Town are penned back in their own half;
unable to find a pass forward they constantly work the ball back to the keeper
to hoof hopefully up-field. This gives possession back to Shildon who busily
probe down both flanks and twice have flashing shots across the goal.
Shildon’s Briggs is influential in midfield
and his pass on 15 minutes puts Ben Wood through the inside left channel to
slot in the opening goal under the advancing keeper. Five minutes later
Shildon’s Danny Richmond ploughs the same inside left furrow and when his
fierce shot is parried by keeper Escrit, Chris Hughes (ex Darlo favourite) puts
away the rebound to make it 2-0.
Guisborough still can’t get into the game;
their few attacks are broken up by the excellent Richard Flynn and the rest of
the Shildon back four. In contrast the Gainsborough gap persists and the latest
Shildon player to exploit it is Robert Clarkson. He gets as far as the penalty
area before being felled. Ben Wood converts the spot kick for 3-0.
As half time approaches Guisborough are
finally able to spend some time in the Shildon half and threaten once or twice,
particularly via free kick which is headed narrowly wide. However the final telling
action of the half is back at the other end: the skilful Greulich-Smith
stumbles through a couple of challenges and forces a good save from Escrit. The
resulting corner is played to the unmarked Danny Richmond at the corner of the
box who executes a curling chip over the keeper and goal line defender into the
far corner of the net. At 4-0 it should be game over, but Guisborough respond
with a spirited spell before the whistle finally brings an eventful half to an
end.
For the second half Guisborough bring on Lee
Blythman to shore up the defence and Luke Blythman to ginger up the attack. The
impact is palpable and their team have the best of the early exchanges. It is a
pity they don’t have a third sibling for the midfield, where even a ten year
old sister would have improved the first half performance.
Suddenly shots are raining in on the Shildon
goal, but this just gives keeper Finch an opportunity to show his skill. Luke
Blythman’s best chance comes 20 minutes into the half when he controls the ball
well on the penalty spot, but is too deliberate in taking aim, allowing a last
ditch block to deflect the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner Finch
punches well and repeats the trick from the next cross in. However Shildon are
weathering the storm and getting forward again. Greulich-Smith shoots well to
produce a full stretch save from Escrit and then another attack threatens before
being ended by a foul on Ben Wood. He picks himself up and slots his second
penalty to complete his hat trick.
At 0-5 Guisborough are playing for pride and
do deserve a goal for their second half efforts; but Finch and his defence want
a clean sheet and stay tight. Not so their opposite numbers who allow
Greulich-Smith too much space for someone of his quality. From outside the box
he bends a great shot to the top corner to cap off Shildon’s night at 6-0.
Shildon look a very strong team and will not
fear their trip to Durham City in the next round. Guisborough will now look to
the FA Vase for their cup run, starting on Saturday with a more winnable tie
with Crook Town.
