Northern League Division 1
25 February, 2009
Bishop Auckland 1 :
Team: Peter Jeffries, Martin Langley, Kyle Anderson, Paul Moss,
Steven West, Joe Grant, Amar Purewal (Adam Strong 72mins), Stephen Salvin,
Gavin Barton, Gavin Parkin, Darren Richardson
Manager Colin Myers opted for experience in defence with Steven
West and Kyle Anderson coming into the side and Peter Jeffries returned to play
in goal. The reward was three points for
the first time in 18 games, and a clean sheet.
Bishops came out of the blocks fast and had their first decent
chance as early as the third minute when Amar Purewal beat his man by cutting
inside and fired a low shot which the ‘keeper Clements fumbled but gathered at
the second attempt.
Northallerton’s first chance came on 11 minutes when Moss
delayed a clearance which was blocked but Jeffries got down low to save
comfortably.
Parkin was flattened when racing in on goal on 16 minutes. No cards were shown but from the resulting
free kick the ‘keeper again fumbled the ball but Parkin’s shot was blocked at
close range.
Four minutes later Gavin Parkin set up Gavin Barton who blasted
a shot which was tipped past the post by Clements. The corner was headed goalwards by an unmarked
Moss but the ball was blocked on the line then hacked clear.
Two minutes later and Bishops were denied again when Salvin
sprayed the ball to Amar Purewal down the right who picked out Darren
Richardson at the far post but his downward header was blocked by Clements
legs. The breakthrough just wouldn’t come.
On the half hour Salvin won the ball in midfield and again fed
Amar Purewal who curled a shot just wide of the far post. Three minutes later and Salvin flicked a
throw to
Barton put pressure on the ‘keeper again on 38 minutes, but
again when the ball was spilled it was collected at the second attempt.
Northallerton’s second chance of the half came after a harsh
yellow card for Salvin on the half way line and when the ball was blasted into
the box Kyle Anderson made the block from a close range shot.
The second half started in the same vein when Parkin dribbled
across the box before passing to Amar Purewal who shot a foot over the bar.
It took some time to arrive, but on 55 minutes Bishops were
finally level. Darren Richardson passed
to Gavin Barton who turned on the edge of the box then curled a shot over the
‘keeper and it nestled in the far corner of the net. 1-0.
Bishops sat back after that but continued to put pressure onto
Town on the break. On 78 minutes Salvin
won the ball down the right hand touchline and pushed the ball forward to
substitute Adam Strong who cut the ball back from the goal line to
Northallerton Town had a half chance on 82 minutes when Neil
Campbell rode his luck before unleashing a dipping shot which clipped the rear
stanchion.
Nerves were shredding as Barton set up Parkin but his good low
shot was pushed out for a corner.
On 88 minutes Northallerton broke through the Bishops back line
but Jeffries dropped onto the ball just inside the box. Soon after, the game, and Bishops winless
run, ended.