Northern Premier League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1 : Clitheroe 2
26 December, 2005
Team: John Mohan, Paul Collins, Sean Davies, Matty Hysen, Andy O'Shea (James Corssman), Damon Robson, Robbie Clarkson, Mark Sheeran, S Winspear (Richard Walker), Simon O'Shea (Daniel Newby). Subs Used Paul Crager, Richie Walker, John French
After an enforced break of over two weeks, and eight weeks since the last home league game, Bishops returned to "home" league action against top half Clitheroe.
Bishops mascots Samuel Brown and Joseph Cowey with Captain Mark Sheeran
(c) FILMAR Photography
On 3 minutes Bishops should have made a dream start as Simon O'Shea raced clear through the Clitheroe defence but his shot was deflected just wide of the post by the rushing 'keeper.
Bishops were playing good passing football on the difficult Brewery Field turf but failed to create too many chances in the danger area. On 20 minutes there was absolute chaos in the Clitheroe six yard box, and with the ball bouncing around no Bishops player could make the final touch where it mattered.
1st Half: Sheeran and Robson on the run (c) FILMAR Photography
Just after the half hour, Winspear made an excellent run down the right, and his cross was pushed into the path of Damon Robson who fired straight at the goalkeeper with the goal wide open.
Soon after Simon O'Shea failed to find the target with a fierce lash which rose just over the bar.
Despite the good play in the opening half hour, Bishops were stretched at the back on 39 minutes and the ball broke for Williams who smashed it high into Mohan's top right hand corner.
Bishops had a rock solid penalty should early in the second half when Sheeran pushed the ball past his man eight yards from goal and was axed by an ankle height tackle, but the referee waved play on.
1st Half: Winspear drives down the line (c) FILMAR Photography
Clitheroe doubled their lead on 56 minutes when Evens forced the ball home after a goal line clearance.
On 69 minutes Bishops were almost back in the game when substitute Newby ended a run with a low ball slotted through to Sheeran who poked his shot into the net through the hapless Clitheroe 'keeper's legs, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Bishops attacked for the remainder of the match, and with 15 minutes to play a deep cross from Newby was headed back across goal to Hysen who failed to force the ball home from only feet from the goalline.
On 78 minutes Sheeran wriggled into the box, and fell under a challenge. There was nothing wrong with the initial attempt to rob Sheeran of the ball, but the Clitheroe defender's decision to aim three kicks into the body of the prone Sheeran as he lay on the ball did result in a spot-kick. Newby converted high to the 'keeper's right.
Clitheroe tried to close up the game, as Bishops threw men forward. Mohan made a good save on 83 minutes when he tipped the ball over the net, and on 85 minutes Clitheroe also hit the bar, but Bishops put in a good performance which bodes well for the year ahead.