23 September, 2009
Bishop Auckland – Peter Jeffries / Carl Robinson / Jonathan Stokell / Chris Lawson / Neil Wilkinson / Joe Grant (Gavin Parkin 41 mins) Simon Ord / Steven Salvin / Wayne Gredziak / Tyson Masters / Darren Richardson
Subs not used – Jake Richardson / Andrew Richardson / Adam Strong / Ryan Graham
Houghton Town – Shaun Robinson / Joe Bee (Stephen Harrison 51 mins) / Steven Anderson / Chris Bailey (Gary Scott 59 mins) / Paul Imerson / Paul Hamilton / Mark Catchside / Billy Madridson / Mark Robinson / Lewis Turnbull (Jonathan Hewitt 59 mins) / David Sewell
Subs not used – Paul Maw / Ross Kennedy
Bishop Auckland made their first visit to the Houghton
Sports Complex at Leyburn Grove, to play
This was Bishop Auckland’s 200th Durham Challenge Cup game since the end of hostilities of the 2nd World War. The Bishops gave debuts to 17 year old left back Jonathan Stokell and the well respected Australian forward Tyson Masters whom struck up an immediate understanding with Wayne Gredziak as the pair complimented each other throughout the match with some superb passes, back heels and flick ons.
Bishop were the superior side throughout the game, Houghton were lively and organised though clearly out of their depth. Auckland took the lead in the 3rd minute, Carl Robinson on the right channelled a cross to Gredziak whom evaded his marker to find Tyson Masters at the front post, he shielded the ball and laid it back out to Joe Grant whom in turn teed the ball for Steven Salvin whose 15 yard drive went in of the post in what was the first of several well worked moves.
Gredziak went close to doubling the lead in the 14th minute when he saw his powerful header well saved at the front post from a pin point Salvin cross. Though Bishops did go 2-0 up in the 19th minute, mounted pressure had the Houghton defence stretched and they failed to clear a Simon Ord shot which ricocheted and the unmarked Masters instinctively anticipated where the ball would fall and he controlled then fired into the corner of the net just inside the 6 yard box to celebrate his debut goal.
On the half hour mark, Ord on the edge of the box played a
one two with Masters, and advanced towards goal when the Houghton left back
made a last ditch tackle to win the ball off Ord though the quick thinking
Masters cleverly robbed the left back and his close range shot hit the post.
Peter Jeffries was called into action three minutes later, advancing out of his
goal to close down the oncoming Billy Madrison and saved the shot with his
feet. In the 37th minute, a Mark Robinson left wing cross found
captain Paul Hamilton whom directed his powerful header just wide and moments
later Neil Wilkinson did enough to deflect a David Sewell curling shot though
these were the only real chances that
Half Time –
Bishop caught Houghton cold as went 3-0 up moments after the restart, Masters played an inch perfect pass to split the Town defence and the unmarked Darren Richardson made no mistake from 12 yards out. In the 50th minute, Darren Richardson threaded a ball into the box which Masters picked up and turned his marker inside out though saw his shot well saved by the keeper. Three minutes later, Masters on the right carved his way past three defenders, his cross found Darren Richardson whose header was parried by the keeper and Gredziak followed up though his first time shot hit the post. In the 55th minute, great link up play with Salvin, Ord and Darren Richardson combined to float a ball into the box which Masters chased and he was only foiled by the keeper’s outstretched hand when trying to go round him.
Houghton were down to 10 men in the 64th minute when Chris Bailey injured himself and unable to continue this after a lunging tackle at Salvin, Town by this time had used all three substitutes in a brave attempt to try and get into the game. Bishops now completely dominated the game with Gavin Parkin finding lots of space on the right, Salvin, Ord, and Masters all went agonisingly close. In the 73rd minute, Masters robbed the left back in possession, and crossed to Parkin whom in turn found Darren Richardson whose header was parried with Gredziak picking up the loose ball though somehow the defender on the line with a turned back did enough to deflect the ball over the cross bar, just how Gredziak didn’t get on the score sheet was a mystery as with a little bit of luck he could have easily scored a hat-trick.
The persistent Bishop’s attacks were rewarded in the 78th minute, Parkin on yet another run played a one two with Gredziak whose weighted pass deceived the home defence and Parkin slotted home his first goal of the season. 6 minutes later Bishop went 5 up; Gredziak’s cross was headed home by man of the match Tyson Masters. This was a massive confidence boosting win for the Bishops and the Gredziak- Masters partnership was evident to all at the game, the manager and the club’s management committee have to be congratulated on this astute signing which is a turning point in the season for the Bishops.
This was Bishop Auckland’s first win in the Durham Challenge Cup since February 2004, which was a semi-final victory at Jarrow Roofing with a certain Colin Myers as first team coach for the Roofers the two blues won 5-2.
Full time
Steven Salvin 3 mins
Tyson Masters 19 mins / 84 mins
Darren Richardson 46 mins
Gavin Parkin 78 mins
Note – no bookings for either side which was well refereed.