Northern League Division 1

10 March, 2009

Penrith 2 : Bishop Auckland 0

Team: Peter Jeffries, Arjun Purewal, Craig Thorn, Joe Grant, Martin Langley, Paul Moss, Adam Strong (Luke Gilbert HT), Stephen Salvin, Gavin Barton, Gavin Parkin, Amar Purewal (Kyle Anderson 78 mins)

Bishops made their first league visit to Southend Road for the first time in 20 years. On that last visit a 4-0 victory marked the start of a nine game winning streak which launched the Two Blues up the Northern Premier League table and on their way to promotion. The stakes were just as high as Bishops went into the game with an unchanged team following Saturday’s morale boosting win at Billingham Town.

The match was played on a dimly lit night on Penrith’s pitch now surrounded by construction – probably our last visit to the old ground.

Penrith dominated early possession and took the lead with a fortuitous strike on 14 minutes. Douglas fired in a shot through a crowded box which hit off Paul Moss and flew into the bottom corner of the net leaving Jeffries going the other way.

Bishops best chance of the half came five minutes later. Amar Purewal raced onto a through ball, hurdling a rash challenge in the box before firing the ball across goal. Keeper Holland blocked the cross and Parkin’s follow up shot and the danger was cleared.

An escape for Bishops on 32 minutes when a hoof over the top found the defence static and Jeffries stranded midway out, but the lob went high and wide.

Penrith continued to dominate the first half as Bishops defended deep. Jeffries pulled off a good save on 40 minutes, pushing a fierce dipping shot just over the bar. There was no further incident in the first half.

Luke Gilbert replaced Adam Strong on half time.

Bishops came out much stronger in the second half. Salvin fed Amar Purewal down the right on 49 minutes and his hard low cross just evaded the two attackers racing in to try to deliver a final touch.

On 57 minutes Parkin was hacked down but advantage was played with Barton blazing a shot just over the bar. Three minutes later the home keeper and two defenders got in each others way and the poor clearance came out to Parkin who pulled his shot wide of the near post. Another chance for Parkin three minutes later was also pulled wide.

Jeffries pulled off a good save on 65 minutes diving to his left to parry the ball then collecting it before the forwards could pounce.

Bishops closest chance came on 68 minutes when Moss headed a free kick to Grant who crashed a shot inches wide of the post.

There were chances at both ends as Bishops pushed for an equaliser but it was Penrith who got it. Paul headed home unchallenged on 88 minutes to make it 2-0 and the game was over.

Fixtures and Results