Shildon manager Gary Forrest says that his team is now in pole position in the race for the title following their sixth successive win by 2-1 at Ashington on Saturday.

The Railwaymen were the only team in the title race that played as all but three games in the league were postponed because of waterlogged pitches, and they climbed up to sixth in the table with games in hand on all the other title contenders.

“It was one of those situations in which we had to grind out a win,” said Forrest.

“The conditions were dreadful, and there was never going to be any football played on a very tricky surface. We were also wary that during the week, Ashington’s manager had left, and we were conscious of a reaction from them.

“We’re in pole position now, but the players must keep focused and keep picking up victories.”

Shildon took the lead after 4 minutes when Ben Wood finished off a good move down the left with a shot into the roof of the net, and after Shildon’s Paul Connor had a shot saved, Ashington levelled with a 20 yarder by Andy Johnson.

But Shildon recovered in the second half, and after Mark Hudson was just off target, they got the winner when former Ashington player Liam Atkin scored from a Lee Chapman corner.

West Allotment won their relegation six pointer against Billingham Synthonia 2-1, to put them five points clear of fourth bottom Synners.

They took the lead when Sean Reid’s free kick was blocked by the Synners’ defensive wall, but he recovered quickly to score from the loose ball.

Synners had plenty of pressure in the second half, but they went 2-0 down when Liam Hudson scored from a Jake Kallis pass.

Synners pulled a goal back almost immediately through Michael Sweet shot from a Mattie Osmond pass, but they couldn’t find an equaliser.

West Allotment manager Paul Stoneman said; “We proved we can really dig in and grind it out as well as play pretty football. The lads were shattered at the end of the game, they gave everything.”

Billingham Synthonia manager Conrad Hillerby said; “We didn’t apply ourselves properly in the first half. We did better in the second half which we totally dominated but couldn’t find the goals needed and an individual error cost us.”

 

 

In the only second division game to be played, Billingham Town lost 4-2 at home to Heaton Stannington.

Town never recovered following an excellent first half performance by the Stann. The visitors went in front when a poor clearance by Town keeper Michael Thackeray was seized upon by Ryan Bailey who set up Gary Yates for an easy goal, then Yates scored his second from a pass by Gian Campania.

Yates completed his hat trick from close range, and then Lewis Burns scored a fourth on the half time whistle.

Town scored two late consolation goals through Matthew Dixon and Ben Bonner.

Billingham Town manager Darren Trotter said; “I thought for 20 minutes or so we were good and dictated the tempo of the game but gifted Heaton their opportunities.

“Overall we are improving. We just need to bring all of the components together. These setbacks are for the greater good, confidence is high so we move on.”

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “It was a great first half. All four goals were great team goals, finished off clinically. Second half Billingham came more at us but we had great chances to go even further ahead. We conceded two goals which was disappointing, but I was delighted overall with the work rate of the whole team.”

In the EvoStik League premier division, Whitby Town came back from a goal down to beat Rushall Olympic 2-1 at the Turnbull Ground, with goals by Steven Snaith and Dale Hopson.