Shotton Colliery 7–0 Annfield Plain
The Yakkas had won 1 in 14 this season but a slight upturn in form was given a major boost in a cup competition that dates back to the 19th century
It’s been a tough start to a fifth year as a club for Shotton Colliery FC. The Wearside League Premier Division has been unforgiving, with nine straight league defeats leaving them behind. However, it’s a long season, and recent weeks have seen them pick up an away draw followed by a big 2–1 win against Richmond Town.
Entry is £3 and drinks and snacks can be purchased from a booth in the corner of the ground. You’ll also be hard-pushed to find many better pitches than this one in the Wearside League, with some Northern League clubs probably envious.
The visit of Annfield Plain to Estadio de Rec in the historic Shipowners Cup provided a chance to build on the green shoots of recovery. It’s always a good, welcoming afternoon out in this corner of County Durham- and with planes continuing to take off and land at the nearby Shotton Airfield, this cup tie got underway.
Shipping goals and not scoring enough have been the poisoned combination for Shotton this season, but they would have no such issue with either here. The hosts started well and got better through this one, and in all fairness could and should have been ahead before they found the back of the net. Centre forward Liam Appleby headed home from close range and in 20 minutes he put the game to bed and then some.
A dominant force in the air and a constant threat charging at a timid defence, and he ended the first half with an incredible five goals. The pick of these was his third, and a volley from outside the box hit so hard that the ball might have been halfway up Shotton Airfield’s runway had the net not got in the way was a fitting way to claim the match ball.
Appleby is usually hard to keep tabs on at set pieces, and his unplayable display was helped by some brilliant support from the midfield. Anyone watching Shotton Colliery for the first time this season (myself included) was at halftime left wondering just how the Yakkas had either pulled this display out of the bag or how they had been unable to recreate this in earlier matches.
The Annfield Plain players trudged off at the break, and it could have been more than 5–0 as supporters convenied on the drinks hut. The Yakkas were fully deserving of this scoreline, and there was more to come in the second half. Annfield continued to be slack in possession and the home side seemed to want the ball more across the pitch.
5–0 became 6–0 and this time it was a man other than the Shotton number 9 on the scoresheet. Good movement around the box created an opportunity for Dan Turner who deserved this after a hard-working afternoon. The icing on the cake was a tap-in and Shotton saw out the significant scoreline to secure a spot in the next round.
Concerns have been raised over their start to the season, with a change in management team taking place around the same time the form started to turn. Yet the truth is the club is well run and although it will possibly be a tough season still, they’ve shown that they can compete at this level. The return to league action will be one the Yakkas can take the momentum from this game into October sees them on the road on four occasions, including trips to Gateshead and Bishop Auckland.
Non-league football has its trials and tribulations, but one thing that must always be commended is the volunteers who help make clubs tick. Shotton Colliery is no exception, and you’ll always get a warm smile when passing through the turnstile.
