Northern League Division 1
15 August 2007
Bishop Auckland 2 :
Team: Chris Porter,
Paul Crager, Michael Hillary (Darren Richardson 75 mins), Paul Griffith, Craig
Winter, Daryll Evans (Joe Fairish 75 mins), Bryan Stewart, Scott Richards, Dane
Wilson, Gavin Parkin, Dale
Mendum
A frantic first 15 minutes left Bishops floundering, and
from then on the Two Blues never looked like winning on their first home game
of the season. The game exploded into
life in the first minute when Richards was booked for a bad tackle.
Bishops led on ten minutes when Bryan Stewart blazed through
and prodded the ball past Benfield’s ‘keeper to make it 1-0.
1st
Half:
Stewart prepares to open the scoring - Picture © FILMAR Photography
Minutes later, Bishops were behind. Bryan Stewart equalised for Benfield by inadvertently
heading home a near post cross on 14 minutes.
On 18 minutes Benfield were 2-1 up when the defence opened up
invitingly.
Benfield dominated the remainder of the half and Porter was
forced into a couple of excellent saves, but it wasn’t until the 40th
minute when they extended their lead with another simple finish.
1st Half: Captain
Scott Richards -
Picture © FILMAR Photography
The second half started in much the same vein, with Benfield
on top, and it was no surprise when the lead was extended to 4-1 on the hour.
Paul Griffith almost pulled a goal back with a 35 yard lob
which cannoned off the bar on 68 minutes.
Four minutes later Gavin Parkin found the ‘keeper stranded again, and
lobbed the ball in from 35 yards to make it 4-2.
Porter misjudged a cross on 78 minutes to allow Benfield to
score an easy fifth.
Man of the Match Gavin Parkin - Picture © FILMAR Photography
Player of the Year Points:
Porter 6, Crager 5, Hillary 5,