As the highly anticipated Durham County Challenge Cup final fast approaches us, we look at how Shildon AFC and Whickham FC booked their places in the final.
Both sides are in the Northern League Division One, and whilst being at different ends of the table, there is not much difference between the sides in terms of the head-to-head.
Whickham won 3-2 away at Shildon, and the Railway Men won 4-2 away at Whickham.
Shildon AFC
Shildon, who are currently chasing Redcar Athletic for promotion, are looking to win their first trophy since 2019, which was the Durham Challenge Cup. They have scored 15 goals and only conceded 3 on their way to the final.
In the first round, they won against Sunderland Silksworth Colliery Welfare with the final score being 4-1.
In the second round, Shildon secured a 3-1 win against Stockton Town in an impressive performance.
Shildon’s most impressive scalps, however, came in the quarterfinals and the semi-finals. They were victorious against the cup holders West Auckland Town in an emphatic 4-0 win away from home and the semi-finals against the 2023 winners Hebburn Town; they won 4-1 to book their place at the Stadium of Light.
Whickham
Whickham, who, whilst currently battling for safety, are looking to win their first trophy since 2006
and will be eager to write the wrongdoings of the loss they suffered in last year’s final, where they lost 3-0 to West Auckland Town.
Whickham boast the best defence in the competition thus far, having kept three clean sheets in a row up until the semi-final. They have scored 12 goals and conceded only once.
In the first round, Whickham won 3-0 away at Boldon C.A. They then secured consecutive 3-0 wins at home against Spennymoor Town and local rivals Birtley Town.
In the semi-final, they pulled off a win against FC Hartlepool, winning 3-1. The only negative for Whickham fans was that they conceded their first goal in the cup.
The final will be played at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday the 15th of April and kick off will be at 7:30pm.
Written By Marlind Ymeri
