Northern League Division 1
5 December, 2009
Bishop Auckland 2 : Esh
Winning 1
Bishop Auckland – Peter Jeffries / Paul Moss / Chris Lawson / Wayne Clarke / Arjun Purewal / Joe Grant / Adam Strong / Stephen Salvin / Tyson Masters / Harry Drummond (Jonathan Stokell 80mins) / Adam Emson
Subs not used – Jordan Tomlinson / Ryan Graham / Jake Richardson / Steven West
Adam Emson and Chris Lawson were back in the starting line up.
The match started in explosive fashion as Esh full back David Lamb lunged into a tackle on Joe Grant and was lucky to receive just a yellow card.
Bishops took the lead on 14 minutes. Salvin picked the ball up on the left and advanced a few paces before clipping a cross to the unmarked Strong at the far post. The midfielder headed the ball well into the top right hand corner of the net and although Spence got a solid hand to the ball it crept inside the post.
Five minutes later and after Lamb was again involved in some foul play he received a long lecture from the referee, along with Bishops captain Stephen Salvin. The full back then inexplicably fired a verbal volley at the match official and received yet another lengthy final warning when another yellow seemed the more likely option.
Bishops played well defensively and kept Esh at a distance but the visitors should have levelled on 34 minutes. A cross from the left was deflected past the advancing Jeffries and the ball fell to Megran at the far post but the defender blazed way over the bar.
A minute later and Emson had a half chance as he advanced from the left before firing in a shot which Spence held well.
40 minutes on the clock and the ball came over from the Bishops left. A defender leant into the ball and the referee indicated that the ball had been handled and awarded a penalty. However, after conferring with his assistant it was confirmed that the ball had already gone out of play before the cross so the decision was amended to a corner.
A minute later and a low shot from Thompson was bundled out for corner by Jeffries. Esh were lifting the pressure but Bishops held firm to the break.
Half Time –Bishop Auckland 1 Esh Winning 0
Esh started the second half on top but both sides were battling hard and the referee’s leniency continued to allow some tough tackles, shoves and general foul play. Ironically the next yellow came from a non-tackle as Strong jumped in to block a clearance from Paul Richardson. The Esh Captain hurdled the tackle then went to ground to earn the Bishops midfielder a yellow despite no contact having been made.
Bishops had a great chance on 54 minutes when Emson cut in from the left. His low shot was deflected away but into the path of Strong whose shot was blocked. This time the ball fell to Drummond whose goal bound shot was also blocked. Esh broke quickly but Jeffries cleared the ball to safety.
On 63 minutes Tyson Masters sense of fair play denied Bishops a penalty as he struggled to stay on his feet after a hack from behind 15 yards from goal. However the stumble cost the forward the chance of getting a shot in before Spence gathered the ball.
Two minutes later and it was Bishops defender Clarke who made an excellent last ditch tackle as Esh wound up the pressure.
In a rare second half break Masters crossed for Strong on 72 minutes but Spence advanced well to block the shot.
However, it was Esh that were causing the real chances as Bishops defended deep and were looking likely to deny the visitors a goal until the 79th minute when substitute Coates headed home unchallenged from the edge of the six yard box.
After building the pressure and getting the equaliser, Esh looked to be the most likely winners but it was Bishops that grabbed the decisive goal on 90 minutes.
Emson’s low driven corner was met by Salvin’s glancing header. A defender deflected the ball with an arm but it fell to Arjun Purewal who bundled the ball goalwards. Another block on the line with another arm but the ball skewed across goal to Masters and although he was unable to make decisive contact the ball dropped to Lawson on the far post who hammered it home from close range.
Esh substitute Gibson brought the game to a close with a spectacular display of petulance when he lodged his displeasure with a decision by plucking the corner flag from the ground and launching it javelin style towards the entrance of the ground.
Fortunately no spectators or zebras were hurt in the incident. The flag had barely bounced off the floodlight pylon before the cards were being shown and he trudged off the field to the general amusement and the ironic applause of the home supporters.
The full time whistle followed soon after. Three very useful points and although Esh will feel that this was an undeserved win there was no doubting the effort and commitment of the Bishops team.
Full Time – Bishop Auckland 2 Esh Winning 1
Adam Strong 14 mins Craig Coates 79mins
Chris Lawson 90mins