Northern League Division 1

27 October 2007

Bishop Auckland 0 : Tow Law Town 3

Team: Chris Porter, Liam Bramley, Dominic Gamble, Daryll Evans (James Crossman 62mins), Paul Crager, Jason Newall, Robbie Clarkson, Kevin Dixon, Gavin Parkin, Neil Maddison (Darren Richardson 75mins), Andrew Gilbert (Dale Mendum 45mins)

Bishops ever changing pack came up against a rampant Tow Law Town, fresh from five consecutive victories, and came away very much second best.

Without the departing Bryan Stewart, manager Brian Honour gave debuts to Laim Bramley at right back and Andrew Gilbert in midfield, together with Neil Maddison who returns to the club after a couple of years away.

The match kicked off after a minutes silence to commemorate the life of Fred Anderson, the driving force behind Bishop Auckland St.Mary’s Juniors, who sadly died last weekend.

Picture © FILMAR Photography

Ex-Bishop Kraig Wilkinson opened the scoring on eight minutes racing clear of the central defenders to stab the ball up and over the advancing Porter. Bishops best chance of the first half came on 20 minutes when Parkin’s shot was blocked, and after a goalmouth scramble the ball was hacked to safety.

1^st Half: Dixon and Clarkson in central midfield. Picture © FILMAR Photography

Wilkinson added a second on 34 minutes when he rose to beat Newall and Crager to a deep cross and th ball looped in over Porter.

1^st Half: Parkin battles for the ball in Tow Law territory. Picture © FILMAR Photography

Half time substitute Mendum had a great chance to narrow the lead on 53 minutes. Parkin found space and slotted the ball to Mendum who shot first time but straight at ‘keeper Allen. The ball flew to safety off the custodian. It was clear that this wasn’t going to be a great day for Bishops on 63 minutes when a cross into the Tow Law area was spilled by Allen and fell to Crossman inside the six yard box, but his close range goalbound shot hit Parkin’s ankles and bounced back away from goal.

Half: Debutant Bramley lifts the ball forward. Picture © FILMAR Photography

The game was over on 69 minutes when Clarkson lost the ball in the Tow Law half and the away team broke quickly. With Bishops defence stranded up field, a simple pass into the centre found Wilkinson wide of the ‘keeper and able to tap into an open net. Tow Law hit the outside of the post on 73 minutes.

Gavin Parkin was unlucky not to get a consolation on 82 minutes when his glancing header went straight into Allen’s arms.

The result, Bishops fourth consecutive defeat, and the third consecutive without scoring, leaves the team down in 16^th place.

Fixtures and Results