Northern League Division 1

8 December 2007

Chester le Street 4 : Bishop Auckland 3

Team: Chris Porter, Liam Bramley, Dominic Gamble, Michael Coghlan (Darren Richardson 82mins), Paul Crager, James Crossman, Joe Fairish, Kevin Dixon, Gavin Parkin, Carl Chillingsworth, Luke Ball

Bishops somehow managed to lose a game from a comfortable winning position with just twenty minutes remaining. The match started very early as the already accelerated 2pm kick off was pulled forward again to 1.45pm due to floodlight problems. Luke Ball came in for his debut after signing from Sunderland RCA during the week.

Bishops took the lead on 18 minutes when Coghlan dropped the ball over the Chester defence and Parkin ran on to slot the ball across the ‘keeper and just inside the far post. Two minutes later Bishops almost doubled their lead when another ball over the top found Chillingsworth clear. The ‘keeper half blocked the ball and Carl stumbled to the floor before picking himself up to fire the ball past the custodian. The shot hit the inside of the far post and Parkin shot in the rebound only for the goal to be disallowed for an offside decision against Parkin.

Another great chance came on 25 minutes when a deep cross was brought down by Chillingsworth on his chest, but he slipped just before trying to apply the finishing touch and the ball was hacked clear. Bishops were rampant and Parkin made a great run down the line and delivered a dangerous cross which was headed inches over the bar by a home defender.

On the half hour another great opportunity for the visitors when this time Gamble crossed. Chester’s No.3 headed the ball almost out of his own ‘keeper’s hands and the ball flashed past the upright.

Chester were level on 32 minutes with their first real attack of the game. A weak clearance from Crager was intercepted and clipped over the top and although Porter forced the midfielder wide the ball was slotted home from a tight angle. There was then a long delay as Crossman, who was injured trying to block the ball on the line, received treatment.

Another chance on 35 minutes when Bramley ran through on the right and his low cross was blocked and forced out for a corner. Bishops second goal came on 38 minutes when a deep cross was met by Chillingsworth. His attempted overhead kick failed, but the ball fell to Parkin who rammed it home from six yards out under the ‘keeper’s body. Ahead at the interval, but at this stage the game really should have been all over.

Chester had a goal ruled out for a shove on 48 minutes but soon after Bishops also had a goal ruled out. Chillingsworth challenged the ‘keeper for the ball and his weak punch went to Coghlan who returned the ball over the ‘keeper and into the unguarded net. Belatedly the linesman awarded a foul on the ‘keeper despite the referee who was just six feet from the action not taking any initial action.

Bishops extended the lead on 63 minutes when Chilingsworth ran down the right, beating his man wide in the area. His hard cross was chested down by Parkin and slammed home for his first hat-trick for the club. Chance continued for Bishops with another chance on 64 minutes when Coghlan was unlucky not to find a clear shooting chance as the ball bobbled around inside the area. On 66 minutes Chillingsworth created a chance out of nothing after chasing down a long ball. He beat his man near the corner flag before delivering a perfect cross to Coghlan who leant back and fired over the bar from twelve yards.

Chillingworth was causing problems and with just over 20 minutes to go the forward should have earned a penalty as he was pulled over by the neck on the edge of the area. A minute later with the ball at the other end, Chester were gifted a lifeline when an innocuous tangle was deemed worthy of a spot kick. The ball was fired home for 3-2.

This massive piece of good fortune inspired the home side, and Bishops defence fell apart with a scrappy equaliser on 74 minutes and a fine strike on 76 minutes to make it 4-3. The final ten minutes were played out in near darkness, with both sides having chances but no further goals were added.

Fixtures and Results