FA Cup Preliminary Round
Pontefract Collieries 2 : Bishop Auckland 3
27 August, 2005
Team: Downey, Gowland, Ward, McGuckin, Hall, Coulthard, Damon Robson, Salvin, Sheeran (Jardine 52mins), I'Anson, Irvine
Bishops headed down the A1 for their first meeting with Pontefract Collieries in the FA Cup Preliminary Round. Without Bell and Craig Robson, Bishops were forced to play Hall in midfield, with McGuckin coming back into the heart of the defence.
The game kicked off in sunshine on an excellent pitch in a near deserted Abstract Stadium.
There was a lucky escape on ten minutes when a ball over the top created chaos in the Bishops defence, and the ball was half blocked by Downey and cleared to safety by a lone defender.
On 15 minutes, Damon Robson drew a fine save from Williams in the Pontefract goal.
The problems started for Bishops on 24 minutes when a Pontefract shot was deflected for a corner. The resultant kick from Eastwood drifted into the net directly just inside the far post.
Within seconds the Two Blues were level when Sheeran darted down the left wing and crossed for I'Anson to head the ball delicately just inside the far post.
Pontefract almost took the lead again on 28 minutes when another ball over the top of the centre of defence created panic but Bishops rode their luck again.
I'Anson fired a low shot across the face of the goal on 32 minutes, and on 39 minutes Irvine had a low shot well saved by Williams.
On 40 minutes Pontefract's Ball launched into Stuart Irvine with a two footed tackle which earned him a red card.
Inexplicably Bishops gave Pontefract the lead on 47 minutes when Downey spilled an innocuous back pass to Amos who tapped the ball home.
Bishops found Williams in fine form and he saved from I'Anson on 62 minutes. On 63 minutes, Irvine beat the keeper but the ball went agonisingly past the post.
With the unthinkable defeat getting ever closer, Williams gave Bishops just the break they needed when he inexplicably allowed a back header to run over the goal line for a corner on 72 minutes. From the flag kick, I'Anson didn't even have to jump to head home from the edge of the six yard box.
Within a minute Bishops had another corner and this time a curling kick to the far post was met by a leaping I'Anson who headed home from a foot in front of the line. Bishops first FA Cup hat-trick for 13 years.
On 86 minutes Pontefract were down to nine men when Grindel clattered into Irvine. Having already been booked, the referee had little option but to administer the second red of the afternoon.
There was a late scare when Downey was beaten again, but Gowland blocked the shot in dramatic fashion.
A draw up the road at Tadcaster means Bishops will have to wait until midweek to find their opponents for the first qualifying round on 10 September.