2006/7 Northern League Cup Round 1
Bishop Auckland 2 : Billingham Synthonia 2
4 November, 2006
Team: Jon Collinson, Paul Collins (Stephen Newham 52 mins), Steven Baynes, Richie Ward, Nicky Mohan, Matthew Coad (Stephen Larkin 41 mins), Paul Griffith, Levent Yalcin, Jamie Clarke, Gavin Parkin (Paul Campbell 67 mins), Bryan Stewart
Bishops gave a debut to new signing striker Jamie Clarke who contributed greatly to the team during the 90 minutes, but it was the performance of the referee which dominated post match discussions as his failure to make the big decisions proved decisive.
Clarke had an early opportunity when he charged forward to a long ball and although able to stab the ball round the advancing 'keeper some good defending saw his shot blocked.
1st Half: Wells returns the Dean Street Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
The new forward made the opening goal as he drew both central defenders, beating both in the air and the ball fell to Parkin who fired and expert volley into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Clarke was again involved minutes later when he was subjected to a horror tackle which hit him just above the knee but brought no action from the officials.
The equalising goal came on 37 minutes when Billingham broke down the right, and the covering Bishops player crumpled into a heap unchallenged allowing a free cross. Although Collinson made a fine save from the original effort, Wells hit home the equaliser. Coad was carried off the pitch before the game restarted, to be replaced by Larkin.
1st Half: Debutant Clarke on the rampage Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
The second half had only just started when Billingham took the lead in the most controversial of circumstances. After spotting a foul, the hapless referee blew for a free-kick and as Bishops players relaxed the Billingham winger fired the ball into the net from a narrow angle. Collinson, and the remainder of the defence made no attempt to stop the ball, having heard the whistle, only to find the man in black awarding a goal. Collins was injured in the original move, and was unable to continue. Sadly, the referee was to unaffected by this chronic failure to apply the rules and continued in this manner for the duration of the game.
On 55 minutes, Stewart's mis-hit corner bobbled, and Billingham's defender knocked the ball down to his feet with his elbow and hacked clear. No penalty.
The game looked beyond Bishops but they battled on, and on 78 minutes a long throw was flicked on by Mohan to Campbell who nudged the ball just wide. Billingham's 'keeper, Jackson, was so keen to waste time that he failed to notice that offside had been awarded instead of a goal-kick and ended up picking up a yellow card for not taking the kick from the right place.
1st Half: Size advantage from Parkin Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Clarke was again lucky to survive when ex-Bishop Shaun Hope put in a brutal tackle crashing straight through the new man's ankles and the yellow card awarded again seemed lenient.
Bishops deservedly leveled on 85 minutes. The ball broke in the box to Clarke and while trying to turn for a shot, Jackson pulled him back, and pushed him to the floor. The penalty award was unavoidable, but amazingly the 'keeper stayed on the field despite his earlier award. Clarke coolly slotted home the penalty.
Clarke almost won the game for Bishops when he won the ball in a crowded area, but his looping header was saved.
A useful point, and a great debut from Clarke, but without the referee's frequent interventions this would surely have ended in a win.