Northern League Division 1
25 April, 2009
Team: Peter Jeffries, Chris Killeen, Arjun Purewal, Neil
Wilkinson, Paul Moss, Joe Grant, Luke Gilbert (Joe Fairish 63mins), Stephen
Salvin, Amar Purewal, Mark Henson, Gavin Parkin (Craig Thorn 90mins)
25th February
and Bishops headed into a home game with
25th
April and Bishops head to
No sign of Gavin Barton, so Mark Henson took his place up front. Neil Wilkinson returned to the defence.
What had looked like a sunny April day, but a shower pre-match was followed with a huge downpour just on kick off, accompanied by several rolls of thunder.
Bishops were on top from the start and took the lead with a goal of the season contender on 12 minutes. The ball fell who Mark Henson 30 yards from goal who unleashed a dipping first time volley. Keeper Clements dived full length but could only tip the ball onto the underside of the bar but its momentum carried it over the line just inside the far post. 1-0.
On 15 minutes Bishops almost doubled the lead when after a corner was cleared Parkin fired the ball in at the second attempt and Moss met it at the far post with a strong header which flew back across goal and just wide.
Bishops doubled the lead on 20 minutes when Arjun Purewal ran down the left wing and crossed. Salvin, the only Bishops player in the box, raced in front of his marker to plant a header firmly into the net for 2-0.
Northallerton’s first real chance was on 23 minutes when Jeffries did well to tip over a dangerous cross.
Half an hour gone, and Northallerton grabbed a lifeline when both Arjun Purewal and Moss slipped down leaving a hole on the right. Wilkinson’s initial clearance went staight back to the Northallerton forward who planted a great shot just inside the right hand post to make it 2-1.
Bishops stabilised the game and on 40 minutes Henson had a good low shot from the left but it was well saved.
The second half started with Bishops on the attack again and on 47 minutes a huge scramble which included some opportunities from Moss and Salvin, but the two blues were unable to force the ball home.
Another great chance on 60 minutes when Amar Purewal got clear of his man in the centre of the field and raced down on goal but the ‘keeper blocked his shot with his knees.
Joe Fairish replaced Luke Gilbert on 63 minutes and instantly provided some urgency in the middle of the field.
The crucial third goal came on 66 minutes with Henson chasing onto a ball through the defence. The ball bobbled on towards the 18 yard box but Henson just managed to prod it goalwards. Clements took some of the pace off the ball but Henson continued his run to tap in to the delight of the jubilant Bishops supporters behind the goal. 3-1.
Northallerton pushed players forward, but all the chances continued to come at the opposite end. On 72 minutes Salvin stumbled through a tackle on the edge of the area and unleashed a shot which blasted against the ‘keeper’s head from close range. Parkin crossed the ball back into the area but Salvin’s follow up header was well saved.
The clock was ticking down and on 86 minutes another opportunity, this time for Amar Purewal, but with the ball again bobbling through the ‘keeper managed to get close enough to block the chance.
A nightmare for the home side on 89 minutes when the ‘keeper left his box and mishit a clearance to Salvin in the centre circle. The Bishops player lifted the ball back up and over the stranded ‘keeper’s head from over 40 yards and the ball hit the back of the net to make it 4-1.
Gavin Parkin left the field to applause on 90 minutes to be replaced by Craig Thorn.
Injury time and Bishops attacked again with Joe Grant forcing in a good cross. Bishops player were queueing up on the edge of the six yard box to add to the score. Salvin headed down into the ground and towards the goal, but Clements pulled off a good save, but the rebound went to Mark Henson who turned and shot through the defence for his hat-trick and a fantastic 5-1 scoreline.
Bishops supporters and officials gathered round to welcome the team off the pitch after a superb day.
The final match of the
season is on Wednesday night against