2006/7 Northern League Division 1
Bishop Auckland 2 : Chester le Street 0
11 November, 2006
Team: Jon Collinson, Steven Larkin, Steven Baynes, Paul Crager, Nicky Mohan (Max Applegarth 7 mins), Paul Campbell, Joe Fairish (Richie Ward 64 mins), Levent Yalcin, Jamie Clarke, Gavin Parkin, Dale Mendum
19 seasons ago, Bishops met Chester le Street in their final home game in the Northern League before departing to the Northern Premier. Chester le Street hammered Bishops that day 3-0 at Kingsway, repeating the victory at Chester Moor earlier in the season. Much has changed in the two decades since.
Chester came to a Bishops side buoyed by a midweek win but missing almost half of their squad but the Two Blues triumphed with an excellent second half performance playing into the elements, coupled with a solid performance of from Collinson in the Bishops goal.
1st Half: Dale Mendum on the run Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Chester le Street had two early chances in an end to end opening. Collinson was strong both times, and saved with his legs. Bishops were forced to use their only available substitute in the seventh minute when Mohan was replaced by debutant Applegarth.
Clarke almost continued his goalscoring run on 10 minuntes when he rose to head a corner against the angle of post and crossbar.
The game settled down, but Bishops were unable to utilise the strong wind at their backs. Parkin came close with a flick from Mendum's corner, but the 'keeper fingertipped it round the post on 24 minutes.
On 33 minutes Baynes made a fine run from deep, and the opportunity to shoot from 20 yards was taken, but a diving save thwarted the full back.
1st Half: Baynes on the attack Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
Baynes was becoming more of an attacking force, and on 52 minutes he made another long run which resulted in another shot which was easily saved. The late arriving Ward came on just after the hour, replacing the industrious Fairish which allowed the impressive Baynes to move further forward.
1st Half: Fairish gets stuck in Picture (c) FILMAR Photography
On 65 minutes the breakthrough came when Baynes crossed low and Mendum stretched at the far post to divert the ball home from five yards for his first goal for the club.
Bishops were rampant, and a minute later Clarke turned his man to shoot low. The shot was saved by the 'keeper's body, and Baynes was just second best to the rebound which was forced out for a corner.
The game was made safe on 72 minutes. Clarke was again involved after a scrappy vertical clearance was collected by the forward and nudged to Parkin who found space to drill the ball home from the edge of the area to make it 2-0.