Northern League Division 1
15 September 2007
Bedlington Terriers 1 : Bishop Auckland 1
Team: Chris Porter,
Shaun Boynton, Michael Hillary, Paul Crager, Jason Newall, Scott Richards, Joe Fairish
(James Crossman 86mins), Paul Harvey, Anthony Abel (Darren Richardson 77mins),
Daryll Evans, Dale Mendum
Bishops were forced to play Bedlington Terriers without both
of their regular forwards Gavin Parkin and Dane Wilson, and with Paul Griffith
still suspended and Bryan Stewart’s injury the starting line-up was weakened
considerably.
Kicking with the breeze at their backs, Bishops were behind
on 12 minutes when a cross into the box found an unmarked Lattimer who sidefooted
home. Although the Terriers dominated
possession, there were few moments of further threat during the first half.
In the second half, Bedlington missed two great chances to
extend the lead, although Evans had the chance to score when he lobbed the ball
over the stranded ‘keeper but wide of the open net.
Joe Fairish made a great run down the right and beat his man
before being hauled back, but the resulting free kick from the edge of the box
came to nothing.
There was a major flashpoint on 70 minutes when Crager was
hit with a studs up challenge into his thigh, and after a series of pushes and
shoves, the referee administered three yellow cards, including one for ‘keeper
Porter who had wandered up the field to get involved in the action.
As in previous games this season, Bishops continued to push to
the end, but when a great opportunity for Mendum was shinned inches wide of the
post on 83 minutes it looked like the opportunity had gone.
However, on 86 minutes Mendum was fouled on the corner of
the penalty area. Paul Harvey stepped up
and blazed the free-kick just inside the far post to make it 1-1.
Bedlington were rocked – their bench furious. Bishops nearly snatched all three points with
another free-kick on 88 minutes. Again
Another difficult afternoon, where Bishops again
struggled to play well, but grabbed another very useful point.