2006/7 Northern League Division 1
Newcastle Blue Star 0 : Bishop Auckland 1
18 December, 2006
Team: Chris Porter, Steven Larkin, Dan Newby, Richie Ward, Nicky Mohan, Scott Nicholson, Richie Storr, Levent Yalcin, Jamie Clarke (Paul Campbell 88 mins), Gavin Parkin (Dale Mendum 80 mins), Bryan Stewart (Stephen Winspear 67 mins)
Great effort had been put in by the home side to get this match on, but it was Bishops who were grateful in the end. The match was played on a frosted pitch on a crisp December night, but the pitch played impeccably all night.
The league champions dominated possession in the first half, but their frequent shots were either blocked by busy defenders or were gathered comfortably by Porter.
Bishops had limited chances, with the best falling to Clarke after Blue Star failed to deal with a deep Stewart cross. His shot from a tight angle hit the side netting, when a cross looked a better option. Clarke also survived an vicious elbow to the face which went unpunished in a moment that was uncharacteristic of the game in general.
Bishops came more into the game in the second half, but the deciding goal came form a Blue Star attack. The referee blew for a foul on the edge of the Bishops area, and initially pointed for a free-kick to the home side. However, the kick actually went to Bishops and spotting the opportunity to take advantage, a quick free kick found Yalcin who raced from his own half then slotted a pass to Parkin who fired in through the 'keeper's legs and just inside the far post from a tight angle.
If the referee had partially assisted Bishops in the goal, he then denied them a second a few minutes later. A short free-kick from a Star defender to a dozing colleague was intercepted by Clarke who fired home, but the referee curiously requested that the kick be taken again.
Star hit the bar late on, but Bishops defended well throughout to pick up another good three points.