2006/7 Northern League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1: Blue Star 1
11 August, 2006
Team: John Collinson, Steven Larkin, Steven Baines, Joe Fairish (Paul Campbell 74mins), Richie Ward, Paul Griffith, Steven Newham, Scott Richards, Richie Storr, Stephen Winspear, Bryan Stewart
Bishop Auckland returned to the Northern League after an eighteen season absence with the first game of the league season at Shildon against Newcastle Blue Star.
With the opponents being league champions, this was sure to be a tough test and a good guide to the season ahead, and early signs look good.
Manager Brian Healy, watching the game from the stand while serving a touchline ban, gave debuts to seven players with assistant Andy Fletcher directing operations from the bench.
The drizzle started as the match kicked off slightly late and the early exchanges saw Blue Star dominating possession, particularly in midfield, but failing to create any real danger.
As the half progressed, Bishops came more into the game, and missed the best chance so far on 35 minutes when Winspear's cross was met on the back post by Storr who guided the ball over the bar with the net at his mercy.
Storr missed another chance minutes later when he beat the offside trap, but failed to bring down a high ball, allowing the 'keeper to clear.
Blue Star took the lead on 42 minutes when the previously solid Bishops defence failed to deal with a high cross and the ball was shinned in from six yards past Collinson.
Bishops started the second half in great form, and Winspear tore the Blue Star defence to shreds throught the period. On 50 minutes Winspear ran through with defenders trailing in his wake, but fired just wide of the far post.
A free kick on 55 minutes was headed on by Griffith and Winspear, at the far post, fired the ball into the ground and across the face of goal, but there were no Bishops players to apply the finishing touches.
On 57 minutes Stewart, signed only the day before, combined with Winspear and the ball was crossed perfectly for Storr to knock in from just inside the six yard box.
Bishops continued to dominate, but Star had their chance which Collinson dealt with admirably. The final chance to win the game was on 79 minutes when Winspear used his pace to beat the Blue Star defence but his shot was beaten down by the 'keeper, and the ball was cleared to safety.
Star forced a couple of corners in injury time, but Bishops held firm for their first point of the season.