Northern League Division 1
28 March, 2009
Team: Peter Jeffries, Joe Grant, Kyle Anderson, Arjun Purewal,
Martin Langley, Joe Fairish (Adam Strong HT), Amar Purewal, Gavin Parkin, Gavin
Barton, Luke Gilbert, Craig Thorn
Bishops went into today’s game at the windswept Ironworks Road
ground of
There was little to report in the first half hour with no
chances at either end. When Kyle
Anderson’s throw in ballooned over the stand without having entered the field
of play, it was clear that it was the elements that were winning.
Bishops were up against the wind in the first half. Joe Fairish set up Amar Purewal on 35 minutes
and his shot deflected just wide. From
the corner Gavin Parkin’s shot was charged down at close range.
Fairish left the pitch for around six minutes to receive
treatment.
Tow Law had two decent chances as the half closed with a shot
blazed over on 43 minutes then after some incisive passing on the stroke of
half time Jeffries pulled off a fine flying save to push the ball past the
post.
Adam Strong replaced the injured Joe Fairish at half time and
immediately set about stretching the home defence on the downhill wing.
After a series of half chances early in the half Bishops first
clear cut opportunity came on 61 minutes when the ball fell in the box to Amar
Purewal and he blasted a shot which former Bishops keeper Simon Bishop did well
to hang on to.
On 65 minutes Strong and Grant combined down the right and fed
Parkin who fired just over the bar.
A minute later and Parkin came even closer with a firece drive
from the edge of the box which flew inches past the far post with Bishops stood
watching.
On 76 minutes Bishops had a big shout for what looked like a
handball in the area after Luke Gilbert chipped the ball into the danger area
and Amar Purewal fought for the ball.
Tow Law had looked ineffective against the wind but Jeffries
dropped a deep cross on 80 minutes but the defence managed to hack it clear.
A huge punt from Jeffries a minute later saw Amar Purewal pick
up the ball but he was hacked down 25 yards from goal. The free kick from Gilbert went well wide.
Strong and Gilbert combined well on 82 minutes and Gilbert cut
the ball to Barton who fired it into the side netting from a tight angle.
On 85 minutes another huge punt over the defence saw Amar
Purewal bearing down on goal. The last
defender’s initial action was to elbow Amar in the face, his second was to push
him to the floor. No foul, no cards, no
justice.
An 88th minute free kick from Anderson lifted to the
far post saw Barton stretching but just failing to connect eight yards from
goal.
Another ball over the top on 90 minutes and this time Tobin
cleared the danger with his hand. No
free kick.
The match finished in huge controversy when Strong pushed the ball
into the box for Craig Thorn. The
midfielder was ten yards from goal and tried to pass to Barton, but the ball
was blocked by a defender’s outstretched arm.
Thorn appealed for the obvious penalty as the ball rebounded to Parkin
whose shot from 15 yards hit the post and rebounded to safety. No penalty.
A good point won at a tough venue, but it really should have
been all three. The fight continues
with a tough match at home to Shildon on Wednesday night.