The league season got underway on a bright sunny day at Palmerville where Allotment welcomed Shildon to Palmerville. Jay Bates and his coaching staff have never won their first game of the season in six seasons at the club and sadly it was more of the same. Before the match the U8 boys team from our juniors enjoyed walking out with the lads and at half time had a penalty shoot out against Jason Scott, Allotment's reserve keeper.
The first twenty minutes of the match were pretty even with neither side creating much. Shildon's winger was causing some problems down Allotment's left flank and it was quick feet that saw him beat two players and score from inside the box. The game then changed in five minutes with two Allotment players being sin binned within minutes of each other. First, Guy Bates complained about not getting free kick and off he went closely followed by Luke Parkinson for kicking the ball away. Sheldon took full advantage and after Jake Forster fouled on the edge of our box, Banks stepped up and fired the free kick home to make it 2-0 to the visitors. Allotment were under real pressure now and after failing to clear a corner the ball fell to Alex White the Shildon centre half and from five yards he smashed the ball home.
Once Allotment got back up to 11, it became more of a contest with the home side finishing the game the stronger. Great work by Giraud on the edge of the box saw Allotment pull one back. Shortly after that Kanda was pulled down in the box and Beeston stepped up to take the kick but it was saved.
The second half was fairly even with Allotment creating a number of good chances but not being able to get the second goal which would have made things interesting. So on to Whitley bay on Tuesday where hopefully we can keep 11 men on the pitch!
Game Stats
Possession Allotment 39% Shildon 61%
Shots Allotment 15 Shildon 13
Corners Allotment 8 Shildon 3
Passes Completed Allotment 98 Shildon 189
