FA Vase 2nd Round - Shildon 2 Runcorn Town 0
Sun 23rd November 2014 | FA Challenge Vase | By Martin Fallon
Runcorn Town bowed out of the FA Carlsberg Vase at the hands of the favourites to win the competition, with Northern League Shildon running out 2-0 winners at a sun drenched Booth Street.
Town arrived in the North East with something of an player shortage. Two injuries in the midweek draw at Ashton Athletic were swiftly followed by illness to striker Sean Breen on Friday evening, with both Adam McKillop and Chris Lester also breaking down in the pre-match warm up.
Shildon attacked from the start with Paul Connor and Ben Wood both going close, and the home side winning a succession of corners that were easily cleared. Wood then blasted wide after being put in by Lee Scroggins' superb defence splitting pass, before striker Paul Conner fired well over Stuart Plant's crossbar.
A good passing move involving Chris Thompson, Mark Keddie and Jack Irlam earned the first booking of the game when Irlam was tripped as he broke clear. From the free kick Paul Shanley appeared to be pushed off the ball in the penalty area but the Referee waived away an appeal.
Town came very close to opening the scoring after 18 minutes when Shanley laid the ball off to Thompson whose shot rose just over the crossbar, much to the relief of the goalkeeper.
However it was Town goalkeeper Stuart Plant who kept his side in it with a succession of stops to frustrate Shildon. Connor also fired a shot over the bar, and Scroggins' hit a drive just wide of the left hand post.
Town were denied a dangerous free kick when Carl Jones beat Shanley to the ball and appeared to pass the ball back to the keeper who picked it up, but the referee waved play on. Jones' stretch to win the ball also signalled an end to his afternoon as he stretched his hamstring and was substituted.
The first half ended goalless after another great Plant save. Connor's cross from the right was flicked on by Ben Wood to the unmarked Mark Hudson, with Plant out quickly to close him down.
Town started the second half well, and Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes stopped a Sam Houghton drive on his goal line. At the other end, Chris Emms' cross was just ahead of the incoming Connor.
Shilden were increasing the pressure on the Town defence, with Keddie denying Wood and Chris Lawton doing well to head clear a dangerous free kick. Craddock also went close with a shot across goal from inside the penalty area that went just wide.
After 73 minutes, another foul on Shanley saw Town given a free kick on the edge of the box. Lawton's curling shot dipped at the last moment and rebounded off the top of the crossbar with Hayes nowhere near.
Two minutes later, the opening goal arrived. Town conceded a needless free kick near the corner flag and from the free kick, Jamie Harwood headed past Plant from 6 yard out.
Manager Simon Burton shuffled his team in search of an equaliser but Shilden were happy to put men behind the ball and see out the game.
With Town pushing on for an equaliser, Shildon countered and won another free kick near the left touchline for what looked an innocuous challenge. From the deadball, Daniel Moore headed home to seal victory with five minutes remaining.
FA Vase 2nd Round - Shildon 2 Runcorn Town 0
Sun 23rd November 2014 | FA Challenge Vase
By Martin Fallon
Runcorn Town bowed out of the FA Carlsberg Vase at the hands of the favourites to win the competition, with Northern League Shildon running out 2-0 winners at a sun drenched Booth Street.
Town arrived in the North East with something of an player shortage. Two injuries in the midweek draw at Ashton Athletic were swiftly followed by illness to striker Sean Breen on Friday evening, with both Adam McKillop and Chris Lester also breaking down in the pre-match warm up.
Shildon attacked from the start with Paul Connor and Ben Wood both going close, and the home side winning a succession of corners that were easily cleared. Wood then blasted wide after being put in by Lee Scroggins' superb defence splitting pass, before striker Paul Conner fired well over Stuart Plant's crossbar.
A good passing move involving Chris Thompson, Mark Keddie and Jack Irlam earned the first booking of the game when Irlam was tripped as he broke clear. From the free kick Paul Shanley appeared to be pushed off the ball in the penalty area but the Referee waived away an appeal.
Town came very close to opening the scoring after 18 minutes when Shanley laid the ball off to Thompson whose shot rose just over the crossbar, much to the relief of the goalkeeper.
However it was Town goalkeeper Stuart Plant who kept his side in it with a succession of stops to frustrate Shildon. Connor also fired a shot over the bar, and Scroggins' hit a drive just wide of the left hand post.
Town were denied a dangerous free kick when Carl Jones beat Shanley to the ball and appeared to pass the ball back to the keeper who picked it up, but the referee waved play on. Jones' stretch to win the ball also signalled an end to his afternoon as he stretched his hamstring and was substituted.
The first half ended goalless after another great Plant save. Connor's cross from the right was flicked on by Ben Wood to the unmarked Mark Hudson, with Plant out quickly to close him down.
Town started the second half well, and Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes stopped a Sam Houghton drive on his goal line. At the other end, Chris Emms' cross was just ahead of the incoming Connor.
Shilden were increasing the pressure on the Town defence, with Keddie denying Wood and Chris Lawton doing well to head clear a dangerous free kick. Craddock also went close with a shot across goal from inside the penalty area that went just wide.
After 73 minutes, another foul on Shanley saw Town given a free kick on the edge of the box. Lawton's curling shot dipped at the last moment and rebounded off the top of the crossbar with Hayes nowhere near.
Two minutes later, the opening goal arrived. Town conceded a needless free kick near the corner flag and from the free kick, Jamie Harwood headed past Plant from 6 yard out.
Manager Simon Burton shuffled his team in search of an equaliser but Shilden were happy to put men behind the ball and see out the game.
With Town pushing on for an equaliser, Shildon countered and won another free kick near the left touchline for what looked an innocuous challenge. From the deadball, Daniel Moore headed home to seal victory with five minutes remaining.
