UniBond League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 2 : Kendal Town 2
24 August, 2005
Team: Downey, Gowland, Ward, Bell, Hall, Coulthard, Damon Robson, Salvin (Jackson 59mins, Cudlip 81mins), Sheeran, I'Anson, Irvine
Bishops gave a debut to Gareth Downey in goal, and welcomed back Mark Sheeran and Michael Ward to the line-up for their second home game of the week against the championship favourites.
The match started with a frenzy of goals. Ged Smith put Kendal Town one up in only the second minute when his beautiful long range strike nestled into the top right had corner of Downey's goal.
On three minutes Salisbury in the Kendal goal pulled off a fine save, diving full length to tip the ball around the post. The resulting corner was headed home by Tony Hall to bring Bishops level.
In the eighth minute Bishops were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Irvine struck the ball into the feet of the wall, but the ball broke to Damon Robson who fired a bobbling shot past Salisbury to give Bishops the lead.
But on 13 minutes it was all square again. A free-kick on the edge of Bishops box was fired in low and Gowland's attempted clearance was sliced past Downey.
Bishops played well for the remainder of the half with some excellent passing in midfield and chances were created to win the game in the first half. On 28 minutes a back pass beat Kendal's 'keeper and it was Gowland on hand to blast the ball goalwards, but a thin deflection took it over the bar.
On 41 minutes Sheeran beat the offside trap and ran clear along the right wing. The rolled pass across the middle was perfect for Salvin, but his disappointing finish was saved by Salisbury.
Bishops only chance of the second half came on 52 minutes when Irvine's shot was tipped past the post but from then on Bishops struggled to keep Kendal at bay.
The constant pressure created only one clear chance though, and that came when Downey's error in clearing the ball should have been decisive, but the Kendal forward fired into the side netting.
Substitute Ben Jackson, making his first appearance for the club, was stretchered off on 81 minutes, after going down while challenging the 'keeper. The final whistle was greated with relief by the Bishops supporters.
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