Northern League Division 1

20 October 2007

 

Whitley Bay 4 : Bishop Auckland 0

 

 

Team:  Chris Porter, James Crossman, Dominic Gamble, Jason Newall, Paul Crager,  Steve Howey (Bryan Stewart 6mins), Robbie Clarkson, Kevin Dixon, Dane Wilson (Amar Purewal 61mins), Gavin Parkin, Dale Mendum

 Brian Honour’s plans for this afternoon’s match couldn’t have been tougher with Bryan Stewart’s on/off availability being an issue all week and Joe Fairish suspended following his sending off at the end of September.  Also missing were the injured Ben Jackson and Paul Griffith.  Steve Howey and Jason Newall returned to the starting line up as the game kicked off on yet another sunny Saturday.

Disaster struck as early as the fifth minute when Steve Howey limped off.  Bryan Stewart came on, and the team was once again re-shuffled.

There was nothing in it in the early exchanges, and Dale Mendum had a half chance on 15 minutes but he shot straight at the ‘keeper.  However, Bishops were behind on 22 minutes when there was some chaos in defence and a low shot pinged off Porter’s right hand post and the ball rebounded kindly to Minto who fired into the unguarded net.

A minute later Kevin Dixon played a great through ball to Mendum who brought the ball under control but fired in a fairly weak shot which Burke saved easily.

On 29 minutes the hard working Parkin flicked on to Wilson who ran across the edge of the 18 yard box before finding space to shoot left footed but again straight at the home ‘keeper.

Bay doubled the lead on 38 minutes when a deep cross found Minto unmarked at the far post.  His low shot from 12 yards deflected off defender Gamble’s leg and past Porter into the net.

There was chaos in the Bishops area on 49 minutes when first Porter made a good save, pushing the ball out for a corner.  The corner was headed in and Porter pushed the ball up onto the bar.  The ‘keeper then made a third save to keep Bishops in the game.

Bishops best chance of the game came on 53 minutes when Dixon unleashed a fierce shot from 30 yards but Burke dived full length to tip the ball round the post.

Porter made another good save on 66 minutes when a strongly hit volley was pushed over the bar.  The next goal came on 67 minutes when a heavy backpass from Dixon went through to Porter whose clearance rebounded off a player’s back to Chow who rolled the ball over the line.

Bishops  keeper pulled off a series of fine saves as the home side dominated the closing stages.   There was still time for Bay to add a fourth goal from Taylor on 78 minutes and to have an 83rd minute effort disallowed for offside.

Bryan Stewart had a chance to score on consolation in the closing minutes but after bringing the ball down using his chest then arm he allowed the home ‘keeper to recover the ball.

 

 

Fixtures and Results