2006/7 Northern League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 1 : Northallerton Town 1
9 September, 2006
Team: John Collinson, Paul Griffith, Steven Baynes, Chris Lynch (Andy Fletcher 77mins), Paul Crager (Scott Richards 26mins), Nicky Mohan, Dan Newby, Paul Campbell, Richie Storr, Levent Yalcin, Bryan Stewart
Only those who witnessed this game would believe how lucky Bishops were to take a point from their first ever fixture with Northallerton Town. Without the profligate finishing of the Town strikers, this game should have been all over well before Bishops grabbed an unlikely draw.
The first chance to the visitors came on 7 minutes when Griffith's header went fell into no mans land behind the defence, and Charlton blasted the ball against Collinson's knees.
On 13 minutes a high cross was headed over the bar by a stretching Wilson with Bishops defence struggling to deal with the long ball approach of Northallerton. A minute later Wilson had put Town into the lead when again a ball over the top found the striker in space and, for this one time only, finished clinically.
Bishops defensive line was all at sea on 19 minutes when Lynch played on Charlton whose low shot was deflected for a corner by a busy Collinson.
1st Half: Griffith on the run
Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Collinson had to come outside his area to block another ball over the top, and the rebound came back to a Town midfielder who blasted in a shot over the retreating 'keeper. The ball hit the bar, then the 'keeper, who recovered the ball at full stretch, only to be hit by a lunging two footed studs up tackle into his chest from Charlton. The referee deemed this only worthy of a yellow card.
Collinson pulled off another save on 50 minutes with a tip over the bar. On 53 minutes the ball again came over Bishops defence and Collinson nudged the forward who stumbled, recovered his balance and side-footed the ball goalward. Baynes cleared the weak shot off the line, but the referee pulled play back and red-carded Collinson for his innocuous offence. This should have been game over.
After Griffith tried on the gloves, Campbell was chosen to take over between the posts, and his first job was to push the penalty up and over the bar with a diving save to his left.
Goodchild was lucky to stay on the pitch after another horror tackle on Richie Storr which left the Bishops striker needing a long period of treatment.
Baynes made another goal line clearance on 64 minutes after Campbell, still finding his feet in goal, was rounded. The clearance hit the post, and Campbell recovered.
1st Half: Passion and Committment !
Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Despite the problems caused by the hesitant irregular 'keeper, Bishops looked stronger after being reduced to ten men, and almost leveled on 67 minutes when Newby's glancing shot bobbled past 'keeper and into the post. The rebound was gathered by the fortunate Dobbs in Northallerton's goal.
Charlton beat the offside trap on 71 minutes, and with Bishops defence somewhere near the half way line, blazed his opportunity high and wide.
A minute later Bishops were level when Yalcin's run and low ball found the ever impressive Griffith who forced his shot past defender and 'keeper to the delight of the home supporters.
Storr almost forced another goal on 74 minutes when his persistence won the ball at the corner of 18 yard box and goal-line, but his attempt to cross to an unmarked Yalcin on the edge of the six yard box was intercepted by the Town 'keeper.
There was still time for Northallerton to spurn another easy chance when ex-Bishop O'Riordan beat his man and shot from the angle, but the ball bounced to safety off the underside of the bar. After a couple of nervous corners the final whistle blew to give Bishops an unlikely point.