Northern League Division 1

22 December 2007

Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics 1 : Bishop Auckland 1

Team: Nick Liversedge, Liam Bramley, Dominic Gamble, Michael Coghlan (Darren Richardson 62mins), Paul Crager, James Crossman, Joe Fairish, Kevin Dixon, Gavin Parkin, Carl Chillingsworth (Gus DiLella 89mins), Luke Ball

Bishops picked up another good away point at Newcastle Benfield despite trailing for most of the game. Nick Liversedge, signed on loan from Darlington, made his debut in goal with regular custodian Chris Porter suspended.

It couldn’t have been a tougher start for the big ‘keeper when after surviving a scare on three minutes, Crossman conceded a penalty for an innocuous tackle on Sheeran. Dodsworth sold the ‘keeper eight dummies in a ridiculous run up before despatching the ball into the bottom corner.

The second half contained few chances. Bishops first came on 22 minutes when Fairish cut inside to fire in a shot from 25 yards which Grainger held comfortably.

Bishops had a reasonable shout for a penalty on 33 minutes when an arm was used to help clear the ball, but this was judged legal.

Liversedge was forced into his first save of the game just after half time when he beat out a low shot, and the tone was set a much better second half. Darren Richardson replaced Coghlan on 62 minutes and his first touch was to send a shot crashing off the inside of the post. The ball spun out and to safety.

Bishops were in the ascendancy at this point, and the equaliser came on 70 minutes. A deep cross from Bramley was headed goalwards by Chillingsworth. Grainger made the save and the ball rebounded to Crossman who blasted it from six yards. A defender on the line saved the ball with his hands, but Crager pounced from eight yards to volley the rebound in on the bounce. There was a short delay as the referee consulted his linesman who was indicating the penalty for the goalline “save”, but common sense prevailed and the goal was given.

Four minutes later and Bramley made a long run into the box before unleashing a shot which Grainger parried. Parkin reacted first and fired the ball at close range, but it rebounded off Grainger’s face and was hacked away. After a long delay to stem a nosebleed, the game resumed.

Parkin brought out a flying save from Grainger on 80 minutes and the ball was deflected just wide of the far post. Richardson missed a great chance on 85 minutes when he headed unchallenged into the side netting. However, there were chances at the other end too, but Liversedge’s most striking save came from a header which was offside anyway.

Overall a fair result, and certainly a better point for Bishops than for the home side.

Fixtures and Results