WEST
AUCKLAND TOWN V SHILDON
This is not just a big game, it is huge.
Both Northern League teams are going well, Shildon top of the league and West
Auckland unbeaten in league and cup games (exiting the FA Cup only on
penalties). Both have FA Vase pedigree: Shildon went out in last season’s
semi-final and West Auckland were losing finalists the season before. And it’s
a local derby with the towns less than 4 miles apart, so there’s plenty of
interest and a bit of a queue to get in.
The day has been fine but with the winter sun
is sinking fast leaving a cool dry late afternoon, and the soon to be floodlit
pitch is showing signs of wear that may lead to some bobbling balls to deal
with. West are in their amber and black shirts which also sport two discreet
stars to commemorate their 1909 and 1911 ‘world cup’ wins; Shildon have changed
from their usual red to blue.
After an early Shildon attack with winger
Ruddy beating his man and getting a cross in, West look the more dangerous with
a couple of well delivered corners; one to the near post is headed off the line
and then one to the far finds Moffat who heads just wide, although penalised
for a push. A West free kick from the edge of the box beats the wall but is
headed clear from deep in the box; from the resulting corner a West head gets
to the ball but it goes just over the bar.
Amid a sprinkling of bookings, inevitable
given the competitive nature of the game, another chance come to West but
Richardson’s shot gets a slight deflection that carries it over the bar; from
that corner an ambitious volley flies high into the neighbouring housing
estate.
At half time no goals but an absorbing
struggle, with little time for midfielders to create or forwards to linger on
the ball. West have had the balance of play with lots of corners, some
dangerous, others not. Apart from set plays two ex- Spennymoor teammates have
looked most likely to break the deadlock: for west Richardson has had a couple
of strikes that may have tested the keeper more had not deflections taken the
sting out; for Shildon, Ruddy has turned his fullback inside out two or three
times but his crosses have not posed the problems they should have.
Four of the last six meetings between these
two have ended in a draw with the other two ending in a single goal victory
each, so one second half goal could settle this; or extra time, or a replay, or
penalties.
Five minutes into the second half a slick
one-two down the left puts West full back Green clear to centre well, but
Richardson’s stooped header goes wide. Hudson responds for Shildon with a good
run and firm shot into the keeper’s chest.
Substitutions begin after 62 minutes when
West replace the limping Vipond by Garthwaite; three minutes later the newcomer
picks up the ball in midfield, drives forward unchallenged and hits a screaming
shot into the top corner of the net.
The 1-0 lead sits well with West and they
look more comfortable, getting further attempts on goal. Centre forward Moffat
nods the ball off to Briggs who shoots powerfully but wide; from a corner
centre half Hall heads goal-wards but keeper Graham pounces on the ball before
it can cross the line; Knight tries an expansive scissor kick volley that flies
just over.
An expected late surge from Shildon amounts
to very little, and when their substitutions are made, Kerr’s first
contribution is to rescue his keeper, beaten to a loose ball by Moffat, with a
goal-line clearance. The final moments are disappointingly spent with West
happy to clown around near the corner flags; this and their reaction to the
final whistle, shows how important the 1-0 result is to them.
So a single second half goal did settle it,
and it was a goal worthy of seeing West Auckland through to the next round. For
Shildon this is their first and last Vase tie of the season, quite a contrast
to last season’s run – but that’s cup football.
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