FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

18 August 2007

Chester le Street Town 1 : Bishop Auckland 1

Team: Chris Porter, James Crossman, Paul Crager, Paul Griffith, Craig Winter, Paul Harvey, Bryan Stewart, Scott Richards, Dane Wilson, Gavin Parkin, Dale Mendum (Joe Fairish 68 mins)

Bishops made the worst possible start to this FA Cup tie when they conceded a penalty inside two minutes. Both teams were lining up for a Bishops goal kick after a Chester attack came to nothing, only to find the linesman flagging for a mystery offence in the area.

A goal down, but Bishops dominated first half proceedings from then on. Bishops should have been level on five minutes when Mendum pulled the ball back to Parkin, but Wilson took the ball from his fellow striker and lifted it inches over the bar.

On 12 minutes Mendum’s overhit cross from the left had the home ‘keeper sweating, and was tipped onto the top of the bar. A minute later Wilson headed wide after a deep cross found him unmarked at the far post.

Chester looked increasingly ragged and resorted to a series of scrappy tackles and fouls which went largely unpunished. From one free kick on 25 minutes Harvey blasted a shot which was deflected off the wall, and tipped over the bar.

Bishops finally converted a chance on 30 minutes. Parkin flicked the ball on to Wilson who deftly lobbed the ‘keeper for his first competitive goal for the club.

Chester’s first chance since the penalty came on 37 minutes when a long curling shot had Porter scrambling, but the ball flew just wide.

Bryan Stewart and Gavin Parkin combined well on the right to create a chance for Stewart who cut inside and fired low. The ‘keeper parried, and the rebound flew just past the advancing Wilson who was unable to react in time.

Bishops started the second half well too, and it was again Stewart who fired in a suberb low shot which was well saved. However, Bishops failed to create as many chances in the second half and Chester came further into the game.

However, Wilson almost gave Bishops the lead on 74 minutes when a deep cross found him in space but at a tight angle. His shot was tipped onto the foot of the post by the busy Chester ‘keeper, and went out for a corner. Wilson missed another chance on 82 minutes when Crossman’s driven cross was headed wide.

Chester gave Bishops a difficult final few minutes as the away team tired, and Porter was forced into making a good low save on 86 minutes to take the tie to a replay at Dean Street, Shildon, on Tuesday night.

Fixtures and Results