Northern League Division 1
7 April, 2010
Bishop Auckland 3 : Billingham Synthonia 0
Bishop Auckland – Peter Jeffries (Ryan Graham 33mins) / Chris Lawson / Tom Blackett / Wayne Clarke / Arjun Purewal / Simon Ord / Adam Strong / Joe Grant / Wayne Gredziak (Amar Purewal 79mins) / Steven Turnbull (Stephen Salvin HT) / Adam Emson
Subs not used – Darren Richardson / Jake Richardson
A third game in five days with Adam Strong returning from holiday and Tom Blackett back from injury. Stephen Salvin arrived just before kick off and was named as a substitute.
Bishops made a strong start with Adam Strong looking dangerous down the right. On eight minutes Strong broke down the wing and fired in a low cross which Emson sliced wide of the target.
Billingham Synthonia’s first attack soon after caused some concern as Peter Jeffries colided with the post but after some treatment was fit to resume.
14 minutes on the clock and a cross from the left was flick headed by Turnbull to Strong at the back of the box. After bringing the ball under control the midfielder struck a shot which hit the foot of the near post and rebounded to safety.
Just after the half hour and Adam Strong blazed over the bar after more good work from Emson on the left.
After a second period of treatment Peter Jeffries succumbed to some blurred vision and was replaced by Ryan Graham. Ryan has been a fixture in the squad for many months, but this was his debut for the Bishops.
34 minutes and Wayne Gredziak curled a shot just past the far post. Bishops were dominating play but were unable to hit the net.
Four minutes later and after a free kick won by Wayne Gredziak the ball was curled into the danger area. A partial clearance to Strong but the midfielder again hit the shot over the bar.
Half Time Score – Bishop Auckland 0 Billingham Synthonia 0
Steven Turnbull was the unfortunate sacrifice at half time as Stephen Salvin joined the contest.
55 minutes on the clock and Salvin fed Strong but the midfielder was hustled out by the Synthonia defenders.
A minutes later and McGowan had a decent chance but Graham got close enough to block the ball on the edge of the area.
End to end, and the next chance fell to Joe Grant who advanced across the edge of the but could only manage a weak shot which former Bishops ‘keeper Chris Porter handled easily.
The opening goal came on the hour mark. Blackett fed the ball through to Emson on the left wing. The midfielder was forced back away from goal but passed square to Salvin who struck a beautiful shot from over 20 yards which flew in for 1-0.
Four minutes later and Bishops doubled the lead. Grant spotted Strong in space and took a quick free kick on the half way line. Strong cut the ball to Gredziak and it rebounded wide to Emson who put the ball back into the six yard box. Salvin raced in front of the ‘keeper and clipped the ball in from five yards. 2-0.
72 minutes and Chris Lawson’s throw in saw Salvin head the ball back to Ord who struck the ball well on the volley but it flew a couple of feet wide.
A minute later and a quick break saw Emson racing through with the ball on the left and Gredziak and Strong virtually unmarked to his right. The midfielder ignored his better placed colleagues and hit a shot which flew wide of the far post.
Wayne Gredziak was replaced by Amar Purewal with ten minutes to go. Soon after coming on Salvin chipped a ball over the top of the defence but Purewal failed to get in a strike on goal.
Five minutes left and Danny Earl fired in a shot which Graham parried and Clarke cleared the danger. Two minutes later and Graham punched a cross into a crowded area. The ball was fired back in, but the ‘keeper pushed the ball round the post for a corner.
A minute from time and Bishops added a third when Salvin put the ball into the box for Emson to score with a looping header.
An excellent response to Monday’s setback which keeps Bishops in the top half.
Full Time Score - Bishop Auckland 3 Billingham Synthonia 0
Stephen Salvin 60, 64mins
Adam Emson 89mins