Northern Premier League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1 : Fleetwood Town 3
11 March, 2006
Team: Tony Davison, Leeon Poole, Paul Crager (Sean Davies 83mins), Paul Collins, Paul Griffith, Martin Bowes, Simon O'Shea (Dale Mendum 66mins), Richie Storr, Martin Barwick, Steven Winspear, Danny Newby
More than ten years had passed since a meeting between Bishop Auckland and a Fleetwood side who had regularly proved to be a soft touch in the early nineties. Today, Fleetwood arrived at Dean Street in third place, and with Bishops comfortably bottom this was always going to be a tough encounter.
The match started in light snowfall which had persisted throughout the morning, on a heavy pitch. Fleetwood had the best early chance from a corner with Davison pulling off a fine full length diving save.
Bishops first real chance came on 27 minutes when Barwick was fed by a low ball through the defence from Storr. From a wide angle, Barwick's shot was deflected wide.
After an even first half approached its close, Bell gave Fleetwood the interval lead after Bishops had conceded the ball with a sloppy pass across midfield which was intercepted.
Bishops started the second half on fire, and Collins quickly taken free kick drew a fantastic save from the Fleetwood keeper. From the resulting corner from Bowes, Pond shinned the ball into his own net.
Pond nearly made amends immediately when a free kick on 49 minutes slammed against the face of the bar.
O'Shea created a half chance inside the area on 56 minutes but his low shot took a deflection which took the pace off the ball and the 'keeper gathered comfortably.
Crager was dispossessed on 61 minutes and Davison did well to keep Bishops level with a close range save with the rebound hacked to safety by Bowes.
Bishops should have led on 73 minutes when Newby turned his man just inside the area before firing a low shot which hit the 'keeper's ankles and was eventually cleared. Minutes later Bishops were behind with Poole diverting a low cross into his own net.
Fleetwood extended the lead to 3-1 on 81 minutes when Pond fired in a free-kick past Bishops inexperienced 'keeper.
This undeserved defeat, coupled with points for Warrington, Ossett and Goole leaves Bishops survival looking even more unlikely.