2006/7 Northern League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 3 : Ashington 2
21 October, 2006
Team: Jon Collinson, Paul Crager (Andrew Fletcher 11 mins), Dan Newby, Paul Collins, Richard Ward, Brian Healy, Dale Mendum (Nicky Mohan 82 mins), Levent Yalcin, Paul Campbell, Gavin Parkin, Bryan Stewart.
Still missing almost a whole team of players, Bishops went into this vital match with Brian Healy making his first start of the season and a bench full of walking wounded.
Stewart gave Bishops the dream start when his dynamic run down the left ended with a pinpoint cross which Campbell headed powerfully home in the fourth minute.
1st Half: Stewart cuts through the grass Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Crager was injured in Ashington's first foray up the field on 9 minutes, and was replaced two minutes later by Andy Fletcher, and the reshuffle of the team left goal scorer Campbell in the right back slot.
On 11 minutes Parkin shot from 15 yards but Simpson in the Ashington goal saved well, touching the ball over the bar for a corner.
Three minutes later Newby failed to control the ball in the long grass but Collinson was able to recover the danger.
Bishops had their first great penalty shout on 18 minutes when a handball in a crowded box was waved away by the referee. On 21 minutes a deep cross to Ward was headed on target but another save and hacked clearance kept Ashington in the game.
Ashington were level on 37 minutes when slack defending allowed a free header at the far post to make the scores 1-1.
Healy almost gave Bishops a half time lead when his almost perfect lob hit the face of the bar.
Bishops started the second half strongly and on 48 minutes Healy's free-kick was deflected goalwards by Yalcin, but the 'keeper saved well.
On 57 minutes Bishops were ahead again when Stewart cut in from the left and shot through the 'keepers legs and into the net to make it 2-1.
2nd Half: Bishops celebrate taking the lead Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Parkin almost made himself a goal on 68 minutes when he went in for a 50:50 ball and won, but his follow up shot went wide.
The same player missed a great one on one opportunity on 73 minutes and after having his original shot saved, he fired the rebound softly and a defender cleared. A minute later Parkin had another shot which was blocked by a defender.
It was all Bishops at this stage and Yalcin's clever lobbed pass on 75 minutes saw Stewart in on goal, before having his ankles clipped, giving the referee no option but to give the penalty. Stewart sent the 'keeper the wrong way from the spot and rolled the ball home to make it 3-1.
2nd Half: Stewart upended for the penalty Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Just when Bishops supporters thought it was going to be a stroll to the finish, Ashington pulled a goal back on 78 minutes.
Bishops were denied a clear penalty on 80 minutes when Stewart's shot was knocked down by defender Atnell's hand, but bizarrely the official deemed this accidental.
Campbell had the final chance on 83 minutes when he fired just wide of the post as Bishops survived the final minutes without any real scares to record their second victory in the league.