Northern League Division 1

1 September 2007

Washington 0 : Bishop Auckland 1

Team: Chris Porter, Shaun Boynton, Paul Crager, Craig Winter, Paul Griffith, Scott Richards, Joe Fairish (Dale Mendum 61mins), Paul Harvey, Dane Wilson, Gavin Parkin, Darren Richardson (Wayne Flanagan 70mins)

Manager Peter Mulcaster shuffled the pack for this first meeting between Bishop Auckland and Washington. Shaun Boynton came in for his first start of the season at right back, Craig Winter returned at the centre of defence, and 18 year old Bishop lad Darren Richardson started his first match on the left of midfield.

Kicking into a fairly strong breeze on a sunny afternoon at Albany Park, Bishops made the dream start. Paul Crager hit the ball long out of defence, finding Joe Fairish in acres of space on the right hand side of midfield. He crossed for Wilson whose bundled attempt fell kindly to Parkin to knock in the rebound from inside the six yard box.

Washington were unlucky to be still behind after a sixth minute shot hit the inside of the far post and rebounded back across the line to Porter who gratefully grabbed it.

Bishops went into the break ahead for the first time.

Richardson tested the ‘keeper early in the second half with a fierce shot from the corner of the 18 yard box which was spilled out for a corner. A minute later Gavin Parkin fired in a low shot which was rebounded back to the hard working Richards who shot weakly wide with the goal at his mercy.

Bishops had their first decent shout for a penalty on 54 minutes when Parkin had the ball at his feet in a crowded six yard box, but was pulled back and the ball cleared to safety.

Joe Fairish, suffering from an injury, was replaced by Dale Mendum on 61 minutes.

The pattern of the game continued with Bishops attacking on the break as Washington pushed up the field for an equaliser. Parkin was fed by a long ball over the top but shot weakly from a wide angle on 67 minutes. A minute later Parkin was again in the thick of it again with a flick over the area which went just wide.

After a second foul on Parkin in the area, the clearest penalty appeal came when Crager crossed deep. Wilson backtracked, but with his shirt being pulled dramatically, he was unable to make the ground. Remarkably the referee failed to spot the offence.

Washington’s best chance came in injury time. A low shot was deflected against the body of the diving Porter and Griffith was in the right place to clear the rebound.

A second Saturday away win in a row, and another game that could have gone either way, but Bishops gratefully grabbed the three points.

Fixtures and Results