Northern Premier League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1 : Rossendale Utd 1
14 April, 2006
Team: Tony Davison, Simon Shaw, Paul Crager (Brian Healy 67mins), Paul Griffith, Graham Low, Nicky Mohan, Dan Newby, Chris Lynch, Martin Barwick, Richie Storr, Dale Mendum (Stephen Winspear 61mins)
Playing a second game within eighteen hours was always going to make for a tough task. Warm sunshine at Dean Street was unlikely to help the situation with eight of those starting the previous evening in the starting line up.
Things looked bleak when Rossendale took an early lead. Davison struggled to push a shot away from the top corner and out for a corner, but from the resulting flag kick Zarac powered a header through Davison's hands and into the net.
1st Half: Simon Shaw on the ball Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Bishops were undaunted and attacked from the restart. The ball was pumped into the area and Storr was on hand to head under pressure against the foot of the far post. Rossendale's Raywood, lying on the turf, flicked a foot out and lashed the ball straight into his own net to bring the scores level.
Crager came close on 36 minutes with a header just past the post. On 42 minutes Bishops had a clear penalty shout turned down when a defender deflected the ball over the bar with his outstretched arms.
1st Half: Extreme Pressure on Newby Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Newby looked like pushing Bishops into the lead when he attacked a loose ball in the six yard box, but a firm punch his head from the Rossendale 'keeper left the midfielder flat out. Again the hapless officials saw nothing. A significant delay followed as Newby was revived.
2nd Half: Assault victim Newby booked for innocuous tackle
Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Storr had a good low shot well saved on 65 minutes but Rossendale also had chances at the other end as Bishops heavy legs started to make a difference.
2nd Half: Storr's late chance to seal victory Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
More than any other player, Richie Storr put every ounce of effort into his performance, and on 76 minutes he should have won the game with a free header at the far post which went agonisingly over the bar.