Northern League Division 1
1 April, 2009
Bishop Auckland 1 : Shildon 1
Team: Peter Jeffries, Arjun Purewal, Kyle Anderson, Neil
Wilkinson, Christopher Killeen, Joe Grant, Adam Strong, Mark Henson (Daniel
Jowett 67mins), Gavin Barton, Gavin Parkin, Amar Purewal
Tonight’s match with high flying near neighbours Shildon was always
likely to be a big game. Colin Myers
introduced recent signings Mark Henson and Christopher Killeen to the starting
line up for the match against his former employers. Neil Wilkinson also returned for his first
game since October. The match was
played on clear and warm later spring evening on a rock hard and rough pitch at
There was a nervous start when Warren Byrne went to ground under
a tackle in the penalty area in the first minute, but fortunately for Bishops
the referee thought he went down a little too easily.
Two minutes later and again Bishops unfamiliar defence was found
wanting and a good passing move ended in a toe poke which went just wide of the
post with Jeffries beaten.
After the initial shakiness, Bishops came more into the game and
were ahead on ten minutes when Amar Purewal rode a challenge and raced to the
goalline. His low cutback found Barton
on the edge of the six yard box who stabbed the ball goalward. Finch blocked the shot but Strong blasted the
ball into the net from a couple of yards to make it 1-0.
Another chance to Bishops on 17 minutes with another ball over
the top which had Finch racing out of his area to head the ball away from the
advancing Barton.
Shildon were level on 19 minutes when Warren Byrne got through
the Bishops defence and took advantage of the ball ballooning up off the pitch
to lob it neatly over Jeffries.
Bishops were again on the attack on 23 minutes and
Jeffries made his first good save of the night on 34 minutes
when he grabbed hold of a good low shot, although there were men on the line
who might have cleared the danger anyway. However, on the stroke of half time the ‘keeper
again did well when he stretched to save a fierce shot before the ball was
hacked clear.
53 minutes and Gavin Parkin fired in a good shot from 25 yards
but Finch picked it out of the air as it was heading towards the top corner.
Daniel Jowett replaced Mark Henson on 67 minutes.
Jeffries pulled off another good low save from close range on 72
minutes as Shildon dominated possession, but created little in the way of clear
chances.
The game was stopped for a fairly long injury to Shildon ‘keeper
Keith Finch soon after as he appeared to kick the ground as he cleared the ball
from Adam Strong’s toes. On 88 minutes
it was Bishops ‘keeper receiving the treatment as he saved a strong shot with
his face.
Deep into injury time and Gavin Parkin again unleashed a dipping
shot from just outside the box, but again Finch grabbed it, this time at the
second attempt.
A good point, but results elsewhere condemned Bishops to the
foot of the table. Eight games remain to
secure safety.