Northern Premier League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1 : Bamber Bridge
18 February, 2006
Team: John Mohan (Stephen Winspear 45mins), Leon Poole, Sean Davies, Paul Collins, Paul Griffith, Sonny Parker, Simon O'Shea, Martin Bowes, Martin Barwick (Robbie Clarkson 45mins), Richie Storr,, Danny Newby
Bishops ended their tenure of the Brewery Field by extending unbeaten run in the league to three games in an incident packed match which saw Bishops play the second half without a recognised 'keeper against a team that fired seven past the two blues just four weeks ago.
1st Half: Barwick races down the wing Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Bishops looked in good form kicking down the incline and created the first chance of note on 20 minutes when the ball broke from a corner to Bowes who lashed in a shot the needed a good save from Bamber's keeper low at the near post.
From the resulting corner, Collins fired over from close range with the goal at his mercy.
On 26 minutes Newby made a great run down the right and his cross was blocked with a raised arm, and after an agonising wait the penalty was awarded. Newby, with four successful spot kicks in recent recent weeks fired his effort high and only managed to clip the top of the bar.
1st Half: Newby's Penalty fails to hit the spot Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
The penalty miss visibly deflated the Bishops team and Bamber came back into the game. The award of a free-kick to the visitors on 35 minutes saw Bamber take the lead. Mohan first held on to the ball rather than allowing the kick to be taken, and received a yellow card. Then when the kick was taken the ball was cut across to Mahoney who fired in a wonderful shot from around 25 yards which went in off the inside of the far post.
Parker picked up the first yellow of the game on 43 minutes. As the half drew to a close another dangerous attack saw Newby fail to find O'Shea in acres of space down the left. The resulting throw was fed to O'Shea who crossed into the box. Despite a defender in position to clear, Newby poked his foot past his marker and the ball flew into the net to make the score 1-1. The half time whistle blew soon after.
The goal may have left Bishops on top at the start of the interval, but a half time difference of opinion between the BAFC management team and goalkeeper John Mohan resulted in the replacement of the custodian with midfielder Martin Bowes. Winspear and Clarkson took to the pitch for the start of the second half.
1st Half: Storr shoots and misses Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
The change at the back created a noticeable nervousness in the Bishops defence, but Bowes performance between the posts proved to be a worthy one. Twice he came out to smother dangerous through balls, and his handling was exemplary when faced with a couple of testing high crosses.
Winspear missed a great chance to put Bishops ahead on 59 minutes when he shot tamely at the 'keeper when clean through.
Bowes pulled off a fine save on 61 minutes when he got in the way of a fierce shot and the ball looped over the bar.
On the one occasion when Bowes fumbled, the defenders blocked Bamber's route to goal.
The final chance for the Two Blues came on 80 minutes when Winspear won the ball in the box, and fed O'Shea who curled the shot wide of the post.
An extraordinary day ends Bishops eventful and often traumatic stay at Spennymoor. The return to Shildon sees Bishops still fighting for their UniBond League survival, but recent performances indicate that the team can at least make the battle for survival an entertaining one.
Last week's match-winner Richie Storr receives a bottle of Champagne courtesy of BAFC ISC Chairman David Strong
Picture (c) FILMAR Photography