Northern Premier League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1 : Stocksbridge PS 4
28 January, 2006
Team: John Jackson, Sonny Parker, Sean Davies, Paul Collins, Matt Hysen (James Crossman 52mins), Graham Robinson, Robbie Clarkson (Simon O'Shea 67mins), Martin Bowes, Mark Sheeran, Richie Storr, Steven Baynes
Bishops put in a committed performance at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels, but were always behind and the challenge was undone by a series of defensive mistakes.
John Jackson made his debut in the Bishops game with Mohan unavailable, and Richie Storr also made his debut in attack.
John Jackson's first task was to pick the ball out of the net as Zoll struck after only three minutes. A ball over the top found the in form striker in acres of space and he drilled the ball past the helpless 'keeper.
1st Half: Jackson punches clear Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Bishops took the game to Stocksbridge down the muddy hill from that point on. Stocksbridge had an incredibly lucky escape on 11 minutes when their 'keeper advanced out of the box to cover a Bishops throughball and picked the ball up while standing outside the box. Incredibly he managed to shuffle back and escape any punishment.
On 19 minutes a deep cross from Baynes was met at the far post by Storr whose shot from a tight angle was deflected out for a corner.
1st
Half: Tough tackling from Parker - Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Sonny Parker was booked just before the half hour as Bishops continued to battle
for everything. But all the hard work was undone when a hump over the
Bishops defence saw Hysen slip to the ground leaving Zoll with an easy
opportunity to double the lead.
Graham Robinson headed goalward on 41 minutes but Bowes failed to make a connection as he spun to try and add power to the ball.
1st Half: Little & Large. Clarkson in action - Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Stocksbridge delivered the killer blow on 52 minutes when another ball over the top saw Jackson in two minds and allowed an easy lob into the unguarded net.
On 61 minutes Collins found himself on the wrong side of his marker, and a gentle touch saw a gentle fall which was deemed worthy of a penalty. Jackson made a fine save from the spot-kick, but the follow up was hammered in from point blank range by the unsuccessful taker.
A minute later Bishops should have had a penalty of their own as a goalbound shot was flapped away from just in front of the line by a Stocksbridge defender.
Parker sold Jackson short with an awful backpass on 77 minutes but the score remained unchanged thanks to the hapless form of Stocksbridge's substitute strikeforce.
Simon O'Shea scored his third goal from the bench on 82 minutes to give the scoreline a modicum of respectability.