SHILDON V ALTRINCHAM

FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Dean Street is a regular haunt, but this is the first visit of the season for A Good Cup Run for game that will test Shildon’s unbeaten start to the season. That run includes three FA Cup wins to get to this second qualifying round and a tie against opponents from a couple of steps up the pyramid. Altrincham are in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in which they hope to halt the slide after two relegations in two years.

It is a cool day at Dean Street, but dry, and the lack of a turnstile queue at 2:55 indicates fewer spectators than expected for the potential giant-killing occasion (maybe the higher Cup prices – a fiver for me – put off a few regulars); as a bonus the final dog-eared programme is available to be snapped up for £2. Then it is straight into the game, Shildon in their red with white diagonal sash, Alty in a fetching away kit of all purple.

Shildon start at a high tempo and press high while Altrincham fail to settle, so for the first quarter hour it is even, if uneventful. But then Shildon’s intensity drops and Alty are able to exert their class, taking up residence in their opponents’ half. Shildon are defending resolutely, if deep, and are able to restrict Alty to some long range shots.

Mind you these are worrying for the home fans as twice keeper Nick Liversedge has to save well and once watch the ball skim across his goal past the far post, all three shots from the impressive John Johnston.

The home side find it difficult to get out of defence; the lone striker Billy Greulich-Smith is generally isolated and unable to do much unaided. The occasional free kick provides what opportunities there are, and from one Greulich-Smith does plant a header into keeper Anthony Thompson’s hands.

Altrincham’s free kicks at the other end are closer in and twice the Shildon wall has to stand firm as the ball is crashed into it at pace. The relentless pressure is only relieved rarely, though Greulich-Smith does get free once to force a save from Thompson. Alty continue to dominate but it remains goalless at half time, which will do Shildon nicely.

In the second half Shildon’s attempt to repeat their good start to the game lasts nowhere near as long. After just four minutes Johnston is back taking aim and another fierce shot rains in, beating Liversedge but rippling only the outside of the net. Minutes later Josh Hancock’s shot does require blocking and the keeper completes a double save by stopping the follow up shot as well.

It seems to be a matter of time before a goal goes in, but Shildon player-manager Bobby Moore brings on Adam Burnicle for Jack Taylor; the substitute goes up front with Greulich-Smith dropping back to wide midfield, allowing the skilful Anthony Peacock a more central role. The change works wonders and Shildon start to have a say in the game.

A corner is won, taken, and the ball ends up in the Altrincham net; however the referee rules dark arts were at work and disallows the goal. But it does serve to buoy up the home team and the last twenty minutes of the game are quite even as the visitors drop off their game, possibly unconsciously settling for a replay.

And that looks likely until with five minutes left Burnicle, not for the first time, bustles his way through a couple of defenders and into the box. He seems to beat the last defender and then shoot powerfully but wide – but instead of a goalkick the referee points to the penalty spot - it transpires handball was involved. For good measure he dismisses an Altrincham defender, whether for the offence itself or the protests that followed is unclear.

Greulich-Smith steps up to take the penalty; he hits it low but too close to Thompson who parries. There is a slow motion moment as the ball rises and all wait to see who will get to it first. It is Shildon’s late substitute Cameron Fenton, and he nods the ball over the prostrate and unfortunate Thompson into the vacant net.

Altrincham roar into action from the restart, but Shildon’s defence continues to prove impenetrable and when a late free kick is saved by Liversedge and headed clear by a defender it is all over.

Shildon have not only preserved their unbeaten start but have saved themselves a midweek trip to Cheshire and secured a place in the draw for the next round. If Altrincham play as well as this most weeks they will win, provided they are not up against teams that defend to the last man as well as Shildon.