Shildon gain revenge for DCC defeat against Washington

Manager Gary Forrest admitted that Shildon were “dreadful” when they lost 3-0 in midweek, but he said that the players should be very proud of themselves after Billy Greulich-Smith scored four in the rout.

“After losing to Washington in midweek with our worst display for a long time, I thought the players showed great character and desire,” he said. “We went a goal down early on, but the players kept their heads up and showed some real spirit.

“I had a go at some players after Tuesday’s game, and they responded well. The pitch was in decent condition, which helped.

“It was the first time that we’ve played Billy through the middle, and he was a real handful.”

Mark Davison put Washington into the lead, but Shildon bounced back. Paul Connor went off injured after 10 minutes, and was replaced by Billy Greulich-Smith, who equalised for the Railwaymen just before half time.

Greulich-Smith put them into the lead just after half time, and the floodgates opened as they played some excellent football. Jamie Harwood made it 3-1 with a good goal, then Ben Wood finished off a move involving several players for the fourth.

Greulich-Smith got two more, with Anthony Bell sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Washington’s Adam McGuinness was sent off near the end.

Washington manager Stephen Hutchinson said; “It was a game in which we deserved to get beat after deserving to take the lead. There was some horrendous refereeing – football is a funny game.”

Guisborough are now in clear second after they came from behind to win 4-2 at West Allotment.

The home side, who are battling relegation, took the lead through Kyle Dobson, but Danny Earl equalised ten minutes into the second half, his 20th league goal of the season.

Gary Wood hit the bar for Guisborough, but then Allotment went back into the lead with an effort by Stephen Young.

But for the second game in a row Guisborough launched a fightback to gain the points. Jonny Helm levelled with a free kick, then Chay Liddle scored the third with another setpiece. Helm scored with another free kick in stoppage time.

Guisborough manager Steve Dowling said; “Poor windy conditions spoilt the game, but both teams tried to playing. We were losing 1-0 and 2-1 but three good free kicks won us the game, Chay Liddle’s being the pick.”

Marske United are now sixth after beating Seaham Red Star 3-0 at Mount Pleasant.

Seaham had two good chances early on, but Marske took the lead through Jamie Owens off a corner.

In the second half, Adam Preston made it 2-0 from a Luke Bythway pass, and sub Nathan Mulligan made it 3-0 after a shot by the dangerous Owens was blocked.

Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood said; “We were the masters of our own downfall with three individual errors, but the three match officials need to find a hobby instead of ruining people’s Saturday afternoons. Some of the decisions left a lot to be desired. We were denied a blatant penalty in the second minute by the referee and the rest followed. We played ok but you can’t legislate for inept officiating.”

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “I was pleased to get a win in difficult conditions. We defended great in the second half and credit to the lads for working hard to the end.”

Durham City are without a win in nine league games and have dropped to sixth bottom after losing to a late goal at home to Ashington, whose winner was scored by new signing Andy Bulford.

Ashington took the lead through Dylan Williamson from a corner, and Durham equalised through Richard Archer, who then put the ball into his own net at the other end. Harvey Saunders fired Durham level again, but debutant Bulford got the winner from a James Taylor pass.

Durham manager Chris Moore said; “At half time we were 1-0 down with the second half to come against the wind, but the lads played really well and did enough to get something out of the game. We switched off after we got back to 2-2 and conceded from the kick off. Again it’s a hard luck story, but we don’t want any more of those. Well done to Ashington but I’m happy with the squad we have and I’ve no doubt we’ll be getting results to match performances very soon.”

Ashington assistant manager Ian Skinner said; “Terrible conditions made for a difficult game. Playing against the wind in the first half we limited Durham to very few chances and we scored on the break to lead at half time. Second half we were poor and credit to Durham, they were the better team, but we managed to get the goals to win the game.”

In the other game, Jarrow Roofing and Penrith drew 0-0. Adam Rundle almost grabbed the points for Roofing but his shot was cleared off the line.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said; “It was a great game. It was a good point for two teams who put on a good game in bad conditions. Jamie Marshall was outstanding, keeping the excellent Coleman under wraps.”

Second Division leaders South Shields lost for the second time in a week when they were beaten by a late goal at Billingham Synthonia.

Shields had the edge on chances with Warren Byrne going close, but with seven minutes left their former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca was sent off for a last man foul.

With a minute left, Synners’ midfielder Mattie Osmond opened up the Shields defence for Sam Garvie to turn the ball home.

South Shields manager Jon King said; “We dominated the game, they were never in our half. We had Julio Arca sent off, but having said that, for having all the ball, we lacked the end product.”

Billingham Synthonia manager Conrad Hillerby said; “We rode our luck a little bit. We worked hard and were industrious, and eventually we overcame a very good side.”

Ryhope CW, the closest team to Shields, failed to take advantage because they were beaten 3-2 at home by Chester-le-Street.

Ryhope took the lead through Damien Stevens, but Chester levelled midway through the first half through Lee Mole.

Michael Hepplewhite and Scott Heslop – with his 22nd league goal of the season – put Chester 3-1 up, but then they had Jake Stafford red carded. Ryhope pulled another goal back through Conor Winter, but then they had Stevens sent off.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was an excellent result in a scrappy game spoilt by the wind and the officials. I thought we battled well and it’s got us back on track so I have to be happy with the effort and commitment that the lads gave me.”

Ryhope CW manager Gary Pearson said; “We were a far cry from last week’s desire and commitment which leaves me really annoyed and frustrated. Tom Bott and Kyle Davis were a big miss as we had a makeshift back four along with Leon Ryan who did show great commitment by playing even though he was injured.

We conceded three avoidable goals when Chester capitalised upon our poor play and mistakes. Their best goal was actually disallowed which sums up the officials’ day. The ref was well out of his depth and spoilt an already poor scrappy game with some outrageous decisions. Our next game can’t come quick enough to right a lot of wrongs.”

Another of the promotion chasers, Team Northumbria, dropped two points at Hebburn, after being 3-0 up with twenty minutes left.

Team North seemed to be well on their way to three good points when they led 3-0 on 58 minutes, with goals by Gerard Richardson (2) and Sammy Perez. But Alan Pegram pulled one back on 67 minutes , Chris Feasey got the second with four minutes left, and Calvin McMahon equalised with a penalty in stoppage time.

Hebburn manager Scott Oliver said; “To come back from 3-0 down with 20 minutes left showed real character. The wind spoilt the game still.”

Darlington RA are now nine points behind the play off places after they were beaten 2-0 at home by Billingham Town.

After a goalless first half, Town took the lead with a header by Stephen Oakley, and Craig Hutchinson scored the second from the penalty spot. The RA had two men sent off, Jacob Wood and Darren Kokes after the second goal.

Billingham Town manager Barry Oliver said; “Collectively as a group of layers I cannot fault any one of them. Their attitude and desire at the moment is nothing but brilliant. They deserve all the success they have achieved. It’s a credit to themselves for sticking together as a group.”

Darlington RA manager Warren Moncur said; “It was a tight first half and start of second half but a header from a corner changed the game in Town’s favour. We didn’t recover and Town scored a second from a penalty.”

Crook manager Tony Boakes took his team to his previous club, Birtley, and came back with all three points.

In Crook’s first league game since November, in the first minute of the second half Damon Ellis rounded the Birtley keeper to put Crook into the lead , then Callum Lough fired the second.

Crook manager Tony Boakes said; “It was a poor game on a heavy pitch in blustery conditions. We missed a fair few chances in the first half and looked rusty in our first league game since November.”

Easington completed a good week by scoring five for the second successive game, this time by 5-1 at Alnwick. Joe Kerridge (2), Jack Devlin, Aiden Goodey and Connor O’Neil scored for Easington, with Darren Riddell replying.

Heaton Stannington and Tow Law drew 1-1. Liam Dixon gave Tow Law the lead in the first half, and then they missed a couple of chances before Adam Rowntree equalised from the penalty spot for Heaton.

Heaton Stannington assistant manager Geoff Walker said; “It was a fair result played in atrocious conditions. It was a lottery at times, but we’re happy with a point to keep the unbeaten run going.”

Tow Law manager Steve Murray said; “We can’t miss as many chances as we did and expect three points.”

Stokesley won only their second game of the season when they defeated Brandon 2-1, player-manager Craig Winter scoring the winner with just a few minutes left.

Chris Horsley put Stokesley into the lead, with Dean Thexton levelling for Easington, but Winter popped up with the winner.

Stokesley manager Craig Winter said; “We made changes and the attitude of the lads was what I expect. We totally deserved the points.”

Thornaby’s promotion chances are receding after they lost 2-1 at Whickham. Mark Fitzpatrick and Kallum Broadhead scored for Whickham with Richie Walker replying for Thornaby.

The games at Bishop Auckland, West Auckland and Northallerton were all postponed