Shilbottle promoted to Premier League

Shilbottle guaranteed promotion to the Northern Alliance Premier Division with this hard fought victory at the Welfare Ground.

In a scrappy match, lacking discipline from both sides, cards were flashed at regular intervals and New Fordley had a man sent off near the end.

It was the Colliers who opened brightly and took the lead after ten minutes when good interplay between Jordan Giles and Liam Brooks saw Giles slot the ball home from close range. The advantage was doubled ten minutes later when good work down the left from Joe Henderson saw him pull the ball back from the byeline for Liam Brooks to sweep home from the edge of the box.

New Fordley had a chance to reduce the deficit on the half hour following the harsh award of a penalty, but Sean Straker in the Shilbottle goal pulled of a fine save from the resulting spot kick to ensure his side retained their two goal advantage at the interval.

The second half saw a deterioration in overall play with few chances being created. However, the Colliers had the chance to settle the game on 80 minutes following the award of a penalty but Josh Hay’s spot kick was saved by the New Fordley keeper and it was left to the home defence to hold out for the remainder of the game to secure the points.