2006/7 Northern League Division 1
Whitley Bay 4 : Bishop Auckland 1
6 January, 2007
Team: Chris Porter, Paul Collins, Dan Newby (Joe Fairish 59 mins), Richie Ward, Nicky Mohan, Steven Larkin, Dale Mendum, Levent Yalcin (Andrew Fletcher 88 mins), Richie Storr (Paul Campbell 11 mins), Gavin Parkin, Bryan Stewart
Bishops were unlucky to lose late on in the the home fixture against Whitley Bay but this first visit to Hillheads since September 1994 was far more comprehensive.
The injury list of Baynes, Coad, Crager, Newham, Nicholson and Winspear was shorter than it has been for some time, but was supplemented by Clarke's unavailability through holiday. Bay featured a host of ex-Bishops in the starting team and subs including Chris Moore, Tony Woodhouse, Mark Sheeran, Brian Rowe, Damon Robson.
The game may have played out differently had Bryan Stewart finished either of the chances he had in the first five minutes. The first he created himself, with a great run followed by a firm low shot which was well saved. On four minutes, Storr crossed deep and Stewart cut back to beat his man but shot weakly.
On six minutes Storr pulled up with a back problem, and Bishops were still playing with 10 men when Bay opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Porter cleared weakly, and failed to regain his ground quickly enough to do anything about a long range shot into the unguarded net.
Bay almost doubled their lead on 25 minutes but Porter made amends for his earlier mistake with a fantastic flying save when left exposed by the defence.
Campbell who replaced Storr on 11 minutes almost set up a goal on 28 minutes when he headed on to Stewart who crossed low across the edge of the six yard box, but the ball evaded Parkin by inches.
Bay hit the face of the near post on 29 minutes, but Bishops had another chance on 35 minutes when Collins long throw found Parkin who spun and shot into the side netting.
On 44 minutes, Newby who struggled in his left back role against the impressive Kerr sliced the ball out for a corner, and from the flag kick Larkin cleared off the line. On the stroke of half time Chris Moore fired goalwards from 35 yards and Porter was beaten as the ball nestled in the top corner.
Porter was called into action on 49 minutes with another good save and this looked vital when on 54 minutes Yalcin's run and pass to Mendum saw the right winger let fly from 20 yards into the top corner to half the defecit.
Five minutes later, the game was over. Sheeran scored after Newby was well beaten down Bay's right wing by Kerr. Fairish replaced Newby seconds later. Inside the minute it was 4-1 after another weak Porter clearance saw chaos in the defence.
Bishops moved to a back three for the remainder of the game, and attacked for the duration, but without effect. Fairish again made a positive impression in midfield, but forward injuries again left the hardworking Parkin working with limited support up front. A late injury to Yalcin also gives cause for concern with a tough tie against Benfield on Wednesday at Dean Street.