Report

Brave Shildon fail to keep Whitley at bay

Shildon’s dream of a Wembley final was shot down in flames by FA vase holders Whitley Bay who played most of the game against 10 men following the dismissal of defender Phil Brumwell.

The game turned on Brumwell’s sending off in the 34th minute after his tackle on Bay’s Adam Johnson was deemed to be a straight red and a penalty by referee Richard West.

Shildon keeper Keith Finch almost saved Paul Chow’s spot kick but the ball squirmed away from him and went in off the post, giving Bay an equaliser they didn’t deserve until it was handed to them on a plate.

The Railwaymen, before the biggest crowd seen at Dean Street for years, made light work of the heavy pitch in the early exchanges. ‘Wassa’ Byrne crashed a shot against the bar and Danny Richmond headed over before Shildon took the lead on 21 minutes.

Terrific work by Byrne and a close range header from ‘Bobby’ Moore brought a superb one handed save by Bay keeper Terry Burke, but Sam Garvie was on hand to slot home a close range opener.

Shildon almost went two up when Moore fired over the bar and were looking comfortable – perhaps too comfortable – before Bay’s penalty equalizer.

Boss Garry Forrest sacrificed the wing play of Lee Chapman for the midfield industry of Martin Houlahan as Shildon tried to keep Whitley at bay in the second half, but to no avail.

Giant defender David Coulson caused havoc in the Shildon defence as they tried to clear a corner and he managed to force the ball home from close range after a lucky ricochet on 63 minutes.

Substitute Jamie Harwood who replaced Sam Garvie had a chance to get Shildon level within a minute but after he cut in from the left his goalbound shot was brilliantly turned away by the flying frame of Bay keeper Burke.

When substitute Phil Bell headed home Damon Robson’s cross on 75 minutes Shildon’s brave fight was virtually over. Their misery was complete when skipper Justin Keegan was red-carded two minutes before Bay scored two late goals.

A towering header from the gangly Bell in the 89th minute and a stoppage time penalty by Lee Kerr after ‘Bustard’ upended Chris Moore, rubbed salt into Shildon’s gaping wounds.
Despite Shildon going out of the competition, and the flattering score-line to Bay, tribute must be paid to the great work of the groundstaff, and everyone else concerned, to get the pitch playable.

This season’s FA Vase run has been a fantastic roller-coaster of emotions which all started on a grey East Coast day at Easington.

But as most supporters know the natural state of the football fan is bitter disappointment – no matter what the score. And that’s how Shildon fans are feeling today.

Final Score Shildon 1. Garvie. Whitley Bay 5. Chow 35, Coulson 63, Bell 75, 89, Kerr 92.

Bookings Shildon Brumwell 34 Red, Keegan 87 Red.
Whitley Bay One Red

Man-of-Match for Shildon Danny Richmond