Hosts: Shildon AFC
Venue: Dean Street Stadium, 32 Dean Street, Shildon, Co. Durham DL4 1HA
LOCATION REPORT
SatNav: DL4 1HA
Parking: no onsite parking; on-street parking nearby (residential area)
Parking: no onsite parking; on-street parking nearby (residential area)
Public transport: buses #1 (Darlington-Crook/TowLaw) and #5 (Darlington-Bishop Auckland)
Entry: adults £7, concessions £4
Programmes: £2
Refreshments: snack hatch, pitchside under original main stand (eg £2 cheeseburger)
Licensed: onsite "Blue Diamond" Social Club in main stand
Toilets: main stand
PA system: yes...outstanding! Clear, audible all areas; information/music/banter
Licensed: onsite "Blue Diamond" Social Club in main stand
Toilets: main stand
PA system: yes...outstanding! Clear, audible all areas; information/music/banter
Covered seating (in use):
(S) new main stand, 4 tiers = c180 seated; flip/plastic, red/white
Covered seating (not in use):
Open standing:
(all sides) concrete hardstanding & lean-on barriers; huge outfield area, esp at entrance (E) end
Floodlights: 4 (corners)
MATCH REPORT
Kickoff: 3:00pm Saturday 24 August 2019
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division One
Weather: excellent, warm summer day (24 degrees C), sunny, very light breeze
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division One
Weather: excellent, warm summer day (24 degrees C), sunny, very light breeze
Final [h/t] score (team colours):
3 [1] Shildon (all red)
2 [1] Penrith (all blue)
3 [1] Shildon (all red)
2 [1] Penrith (all blue)
Sent Off: 0
Official crowd: 316
Social media [Twitter]: @theofficialnl, @Official_SAFC, @penrithfc
NORVENMUNKI's COMMENTS
You can't guarantee the weather, not least in Co Durham, but on a good day like today there's not much that can beat a cool beer and a game of footie. The sunny weather is tremendous, the best day of the summer perhaps, betraying the stereotype of an August Bank Holiday Saturday.
If there's one thing that reaches out from Shildon AFC, it's the PA system! You can hear the music and banter from way out across the nearby streets. It's a top entertainment package, with professional-quality production values.
I've parked a few streets away, and walked through the neighbouring terraced streets to the cute red entrance. It's a friendly welcome all round.
Once inside I realise how sizeable the site is, with much potential for further development despite being situated snugly within an established residential area.
If there's one thing that reaches out from Shildon AFC, it's the PA system! You can hear the music and banter from way out across the nearby streets. It's a top entertainment package, with professional-quality production values.
I've parked a few streets away, and walked through the neighbouring terraced streets to the cute red entrance. It's a friendly welcome all round.
Once inside I realise how sizeable the site is, with much potential for further development despite being situated snugly within an established residential area.
There are two huge stands here, although only one is in use. The lower, newer stand should easily accommodate 180-plus fans in a four-tier seated stand. It's north-facing, which is a definite bonus today as it provides some shade.
The original main stand is a giant, with room for at least 220 over six tiers. It's probably a great view from the top row.
The excellent DJ is nestled into his rig in the older south-facing stand, enjoying the sunshine. His delivery style is welcoming, bubbly and informative, and the soundtrack is not bad either. I'd say without hesitation that it's the best PA on my entire Quest to date; enough to put Wembley to shame.
There's the customary tall netting to the west end, protecting lost balls from flying into the adjoining roads. However it's not entirely effective as there seems to be a massive hole in the lower portion behind the goal, and, throughout the match, the ballboys stay busy retrieving balls from the grassed banks beyond or even from the street running by.
I go over to get some food from the snack bar. A very polite young lad is helping out: top service, a great choice of food and excellent value. The PA guy plugs the new fish-and-chips option. I'm not hungry enough for that today but it sounds great!
The teams emerge, blinking into the sunshine. The PA announces the line-ups. Handshakes. Game on.
Visitors Penrith have struggled for the last few seasons, so are very much the underdogs today. As per form, it's Shildon who start brightest.
Above us, one of the floodlight bulbs looks like it's switched on. I am surprised as this is one of the brightest days of the year. Yet, actually that's my bad... it's just an illusion of the sun reflecting on the metal.
On the field, the hosts are well on top, hitting the crossbar twice in the first quarter-of-an-hour.
Then, after 37 minutes, the ball is hoofed upfield by the Penrith rearguard and their enterprising striker is barged into by the onrushing Shildon keeper. It's clumsy, a clear foul and hence a penalty to the visitors. Totally against the run of play, a timid Penrith have the chance for first blood.
Buried! 0-1. You couldn't ever have seen that coming. A tiny ripple of applause is audible from the small away support.
Shildon restart. Sixty seconds later: 1-1!
A bit more accuracy at last, following several wayward lashes that flew over and wide. This time it nestles in the net and it's all-square again.
The home side have been by far the better side but their casual finishing has not capitalised upon their general dominance.
It's half-time. All to play for in the second period. No doubt, the respective coaches will have to earn their fee with a strong team talk.
The music and banter resumes throughout the interval. Apparently, it's the kit lady's birthday today. Around me, it's a buzzing chatty atmosphere under the roof, a few cool beers being quaffed in the sunshine. Personally, I'm driving so none for me.
The teams are back out and the game restarts.
After 55 minutes, there's another penalty. This time to Shildon. A shoulder barge from the Penrith defender, and a nailed-on foul in the area. Drilled home: 2-1.
On 65 minutes, another equaliser! A neat quick counterattack down the Penrith right, and their burly centre-forward twists and turns to find space for a shot into the far corner. Good goal: 2-2 now!
It's turning into a great entertainment in the sunshine. I go back to the helpful lad at the snack bar and grab a nice cold Pepsi from the fridge. Refreshing!
My watch says 90 minutes are almost up. Penrith have been holding firm but sustained Shildon pressure finally pays off. A drilled daisy-cutter from far out skids through the crowded box and ricochets off someone to wrong-foot the keeper. To Penrith, it's unfair, they claim the deflection was offside. Looked okay to me and the ref agrees: 3-2.
A last-minute sub comes on for Shildon, and he nearly scores with his only touch!
Final whistle: 3-2.
The PA kicks-in, overlaid upon the Match of the Day theme; very slick presentation.
It's been a great day. An entertaining match played in good spirit. A late dramatic winner. Nice friendly hospitality. And lovely weather too!
A wonderful afternoon all-round. I'm very delighted to have come.
No comments:
Post a Comment