Northern League Division 1

22 February 2008

Bishop Auckland 3 : West Auckland 1

Team: Peter Keen, Lee Foster, Dominic Gamble, Luke Ball, Paul Moss, Paul Crager, Joe Fairish (Stewart Campbell 86mins), Lee Ellison, Gavin Parkin, Carl Chillingsworth, Andrew Harrison (Darrren Richardson 75mins)

Bishops pulled off a massive derby win at Dean Street on a very cold and windy evening.

Kicking into the wind Bishops had an early chance when Harrison fired in a shot which just missed the ‘keeper’s left hand post. Conditions made any great football difficult, and there was nothing in the game until Bishops took the lead. After an initial clearance, Luke Ball swung the ball back into the box and Bishops had players queueing up at the far post. Chillingworth headed home unchallenged to make it 1-0 on 33 minutes.

Chillingsworth was involved in the next incident of note when ex-Bishop Michael Heckley put in a brutal double footed tackle which left the forward grounded. Heckley was lucky to get away with just a yellow card – the only one of the game.

West levelled with virtually the last kick of the first half. A ball into the box hung in the wind and left Keen unsure as to whether to come and collect. The hesitation was pounced on and the ball stabbed home from close range.

Bishops had the advantage of the wind in the second half and turned the screw. The goal which won the game came on the hour. A shot form Ball from the edge of the area brought a good save from Wilkinson in the West Auckland nets, and the ball rolled wide to Ellison who fired a low shot in from a tight angle which was deflected out for a corner. The corner swung in on the wind and chaos ensued when Wilkinson midjudged the flight and fumbled the ball. Parkin was in the thick of the ruck, but was unable to force it home before the ball came out and into the space occupied by Paul Moss who hammered it home from eight yards to make it 2-1.

Although Bishops dominated the second half they were unable to add to the lead. Harrison created a good chance for himself but blazed the shot just a foot over the bar on 70 minutes. Harrison was injured on 75 minutes and replaced by Darren Richardson who was immediately into the action. A high ball over the top found Richardson who had the opportunity to head over the advancing ‘keeper, but his connection was poor and the ball flew well wide.

Joe Fairish left the field to a standing ovation on 86 minutes to be replaced by Stewart Campbell. The game was over when Richardson found some space on the left and fired a shot which deflected off a defender’s back and over the ‘keeper to make it 3-1 and secure three vital points.

Fixtures and Results