Northern League Division 1
17 March 2007
Bishop Auckland 1 :
Team: Chris Porter,
Stephen Larkin, Paul
Crager, Richie Ward, Nicky Mohan, Matthew Coad (Joe Fairish 69mins), Adam
Clough, Paul Campbell, Richie Storr (Gavin Parkin 88mins), Lev Yalcin, Dale
Mendum
Jamie Clarke returned to
The match was played on a very windy afternoon and Bishops
kicked into the wind for the first half.
Nissan missed an early chance with a shot over the bar from close range,
but chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges.
Dale Mendum almost gave Bishops the lead on 22 minutes when
played in by Yalcin, but his low shot was well saved by Shields in the Nissan
goal.
Nissan took the lead on 31 minutes when a low shot across
the box was well saved by Porter but David Cullen pounced at the far post to
fire home.
Bishops position deteriorated on 35 minutes when
Nissan were on top in the remainder of the first half as
Bishops struggled to adjust to their short numbers but held out until the
interval.
In the second half with Nissan kicking into the wind the
visitors seemed content to pass the ball around at the back, and Bishops sat
back and defended with ease. There were
a couple of warning shots for Nissan as shots flew in past the posts. Clearly the message was not taken.
On 67 minutes Yalcin picked up the ball around the half way
line. From a couple of yards inside his
own half, Lev spotted the ‘keeper a dozen yards off his line and blasted a
fierce shot with the wind which had the ‘keeper immediately concerned. The pace of the shot, coupled with a slight
swing had the ‘keeper in trouble and his helpless dive proved futile in
stopping the ball from flying into the net. At over 50 yards this amazing drive was surely
one of the great goals in Bishops history.
The equaliser forced Nissan to push for the winner to
maintain their title push, but Bishops looked as likely to notch the
winner. The final few minutes were a
little nervous, but the point was hard earned.
The team left the pitch to a standing ovation.