Northern League Division 1

25 August 2007

 

Northallerton Town 1 : Bishop Auckland 2

 

 

Team:  Chris Porter, James Crossman, Paul Crager, Paul Griffith, Daryll Evans, Paul Harvey, Joe Fairish, Scott Richards, Gavin Parkin, Dane Wilson,Bryan Stewart (Dale Mendum 25 mins)

 

Bishops got some league points at the third time of asking with a narrow victory at Northallerton Town.  Bryan Stewart and Dane Wilson came through fitness tests before the game, played on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

 

The Two Blues again went behind early, this time courtesy of James Crossman who deflected a low cross into his own net in the 12th minute.

 

However, Bishops came more into the game after the opening goal and Joe Fairish, playing on the right wing, came close on 20 minutes when he cut inside to fire a shot which dipped on target, but was tipped over the bar.

 

Five minutes later another blow for Bishops when Stewart’s cross from the left was met with a block tackle, and the midfielder limped immediately off the field to be replaced by Dale Mendum.

 

Bishops equalised on 28 minutes.  Sub Dale Mendum crossed from the left to Parkin 30 yards from goal, who knocked the ball from the centre to Fairish on the right.  Joe crossed and Wilson’s volleyed off target shot fell to Parkin who swivelled and fired low past the ‘keeper.

 

The first real chance of the second half fell to Evans who headed a deflected Fairish cross over the bar.

 

Bishops won a free-kick just inside the Northallerton half on 61 minutes.  The initial ball in was cleared to Griffith whose header back in was also cleared but only to Scott Richards who headed over the Northallerton back line.  Parkin shot through a gap and blasted the ball home from 15 yards to make it 2-1.

 

Northallerton dominated possession from then on, but Bishops had their chances on the break.  On 75 minutes Wilson battled through two tackles wide on the right and crossed to an unmarked Mendum whose first time shot from 25 yards flew just over the bar.

 

The home side almost equalised on 79 minutes when a corner was knocked on but flew just part the far post.  Crossman was forced to clear off the line on 87 minutes after more pressure.

 

Gavin Parkin came desparately close to a hat-trick with a 45 yard looping shot which beat the ‘keeper but bounced a foot wide of the post.

 

 Chris Porter was forced into a fine low save to his right in injury time but Bishops hung on for the three points.

 

 

 

Fixtures and Results