Shildon AFC - A look ahead

Last updated : 08 November 2003 By Richard Brown

'Super' Danny Allsopp - County's only scorer in that  4-2 defeat.
Ask some a Notts County fan what was the most embarrassing defeat of last season was and you could be given any one of a number of possible answers. Could it be the humiliating 3-0 defeat away to Huddersfield [now relegated], or even the 3-2 derby-day defeat to Mansfield Town [also relegated], perhaps even the 5-0 thumping that we were given at Swindon. But most will give you neither of the three, as the majority are more likely to opt for the mother of all humiliations; yes, that 4-2 defeat to Southport.

What appeared to be an easy ticket into the Second Round of the F.A cup – in which we would have been drawn out against Farnborough Town, who subsequently beat Southport to claim a place in the third round, to play…Arsenal – however, the fact remains that Notts were beaten even after being two-nil to-the-good thanks to a Danny Allsopp double. But Notts were given their just-deserts after Southport spanked home four goals past a Notts side that were reduced to ten men following Caskey being given his marching orders.


Shildon's humble Dean Street stadium.
But in order to avoid another upset like that against Southport, Notts will have to make no mistakes against the lowest ranked side in the competition – something that Notts manager, Billy Dearden, has insisted that they will carry out as he vowed to pay them ‘respect’ the minnows and treat them as ‘any other’ team in ‘any other game’.


But for Shildon this is not just any other game, as for tomorrows game – the lowest ranked side in the competition – it sees their return to the FA Cup First Round proper since 1961. But their path to get here was not an easy one as they were forced to battle their ways through 5 qualifying matches and 1 replay. A feat which as you will – I am sure – agree with is fairly impressive for the Albany Northern League outfit.


Shildon will not be taking the game lightly, as a following thought to be around 800-1000 travelling Railway men look to take the tie back to Dean Street for the replay or – go one better – and push for the victory.


***Star Man*** - Gary Williamson-Barnes


Be afraid, Fenton.
If I were to tell you that a striker-cum-winger has scored 28 goals in just 21 appearances, what would you say? When I asked this question to one of my Notts County compatriots this, I was given the answer – ‘B*llocks’. But this frightening fact appears to be so.


In a side that looks - excluding one striker partnership – lightly troubled on the goal scoring front. With Barnes’ nearest rival – besides strike partner, Lee Ellison with 17 goals – to his tally standing in the form of defender, David Bayles, and striker, Nigel Bolton [both with three]. It seems as though the man assigned to man marking this nimble youngster will be Nicky Fenton – who seems the most obvious man to squeeze this former Darlington striker out of the game.


***Odds Checker*** - with William Hill bookmakers


Notts County –
1/14

Draw – 13/2

Shildon – 16/1