Northern League Division One
22 October 2008
West Allotment Celtic 3 :
Bishop Auckland 3
Team: Peter Jeffries, Lee Foster, Gary Ankers, Gus Di Lella
(Scott Richards, 17 mins), Arjun Purewal, Neil Wilkinson, Lewis Hardman, Dale
Dunn (Darren Richardson, 88 mins), Gavin Barton, Gavin Parkin,
Adam Strong.
A clear autumn
evening for Bishop’s visit to the Blue Flames. With Joe Fairish picking up a
knock on Saturday against Synthonia and Scott Richards also warming the bench,
it was up to Adam Strong to make his first league start for Bishop alongside
utility player Gus Di Lella.
Honours even in the
first quarter of an hour with neither keeper tested. It all changed on 17 mins
when an injured Gus Di Lella was replaced by a newly shorn Scott Richards. From
a throw Allotment knocked a low ball into the box which, seemingly
unintentionally, flicked off the leg of Allotment’s striker Vickers and into
the goal at the near post leaving Jefferies non-plussed.
Allotment looked
dangerous again on 25 mins when a hard ball through on the ground from the
halfway line into the box beat the offside, the resulting shot parried and
collected well by Jefferies.
Bishops pressed for
an equaliser, but despite some good work in midfield they could not convert
their chances.
On 27 minutes it
seemed like a re-run of the first West goal, but this time Jefferies dived well
to push it round for a corner.
After some
sustained pressure Bishop won a corner on 31 minutes. Dunn swung it in high
towards the far post. Barton’s strong downward header with the defence gone
astray gave the ‘keeper no chance. 1:1
Allotment’s lead
was restored on 38 mins when
Ankers came close
on 39 minutes after Parkin was fouled 35 yards out. His low hard free kick just
skimmed past the post.
Allotment could
have gone in two ahead in injury time when a powerful shot from the halfway
line went just over the bar with the ‘keeper off his line.
Bishops drew level
on 51 minutes when Strong brought the ball down the line and cut inside past
two Allotment defenders. His shot was well wide of the far post and seemed to
be going for a goal kick when quick thinking Dale Dunn collected it on the goal
line and sent in a difficult first touch ball to Gavin Parkin a few yards out
in front of goal. Gavin’s well taken volley gave the ‘keeper no chance. 2 : 2
On the hour point
Bishop’s took the lead. Gavin Parkin’s low hard shot across the goal from the
edge of the penalty box had the ‘keeper beaten but hit the inside of the post.
The rebound fell to Barton who made no mistake. 3:2
With only a few half
chances at both ends it looked like Bishop were going to hold on for the three
points.
With only ten
minutes remaining, and after two substitutions to bolster their attack,
Allotment began a period of sustained presure. On 85 minutes Wilkinson headed
the ball clear for a corner. The Bishop’s defence dealt well with the ball
over, but as the defender (who?) on the goal line at the edge of the penalty
box attempted to clear the ball upfield, the ball span up off his foot hitting
his arm. With no Allotment players within spitting distance the penalty
decision seemed harsh. Sending the ‘keeper the wrong way,
Both teams
continued to push for the winner but it ended honours even.
Another good
footballing display from Bishops against a tall, physical Allotment team who
were strong in attack and organised in defence.