Northern Premier League Division 1
Ossett Albion 2 : Bishop Auckland 2
5 October, 2005
Team: Horrigon, Coulthard, Ward, Hyson, West, Brunskill (Barker 85mins), Damon Robson, Craig Robson, Sheeran, Newby, Irvine
Bishops were left in disarray after Saturday's game and only the tireless effort a handful of individuals ensured that Bishops arrived at Ossett with sufficient resources to make a game. Club Secretary Tony Duffy worked around the clock to cover the various duties of those departed from Sunday to Wednesday with acting manager Tony Hall, assistant manager Tony Boylan and ably assisted by Steven Bell, to assemble a team.
With two new players registered on Tuesday and a further three on the morning of the match, this was hardly ideal preparation to go into a tough away fixture at eighth place Ossett Albion.
Ward returned from Crook Town, Matthew Hyson guested from Horden CW, Carl Brunskill from Horden CW, John Barker was drafted in from Bishop Auckland St.Mary's, and kitman Michael Walker filled in on the bench. Steven West returned for his first game in over eleven months.
Bishops made the dream start when a fourth minute corner was cleared only as far as Irvine who struck a sweet volley through a forest of legs into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
The lead was short lived with Ossett flighting a free-kick into the box on eight minutes. Naylor capitalised on indecision in a Bishops defence still finding their feet on the Ossett incline to head past Horrigan from close range.
Set pieces were creating chaos, and Bishops corner on 20th minute bobbled through the six yard box before being cleared to safety. Irvine was revelling in a more attacking role and on 28 minutes broke down the left. His low cross was cleared out for another corner.
On 37 minutes another corner created more panic and the ball ricocheted to Coulthard who hooked the ball over the bar.
Only bad luck stopped Bishops from taking the lead just on half time when a ball over the top found Sheeran who nudged the ball to Irvine. Unfortunately Irvine's goalbound shot hit the back of team mate Sheeran and rebounded to safety.
There was some luck for Bishops though, and on 48 minutes a near post corner was glanced onto the bar by an Ossett player, with the Bishops defence managing clear the danger.
Of course, these things tend to even themselves out, and on 54 minutes Sheeran ran free and lobbed the Ossett keeper only to see his shot bounce back off the post. The ball flew fast into the path of Damon Robson whose shot pinged off the crossbar.
Sheeran measured his lob just right on 65 minutes when Irvine drew the defence and played a late ball to the centre forward who beat the 'keeper from 15 yards. A great goal.
Bishops were under pressure on 70 minutes from an Ossett corner, with the first shot blocked and the second headed off the goal line by Hyson.
Ossett had a lucky escape when their 'keeper decided to take a wild hack at Sheeran while trying to retrieve the ball for a goal kick. The linesman flagged furiously but after consulting with the referee, who seemed to spend most of the game with his back to play, no action was taken.
There was heartbreak for Bishops on 91 minutes when a weak shot was deflected into the net by the outstretched leg of Toronczak to give Ossett a share of the spoils.
What a great game this was, with both teams attacking throughout. Bishops makeshift side played with pride and passion and were so unlucky not to claim the three points the club deserved.
Preparations now continue for Saturday's trip to lowly Eastwood Town.