Northern League Division 1
13 October, 2010
Whitley Bay 2 : Bishop Auckland 1
Bishop Auckland – Peter Jeffries / Chris Bell / Darren Atkinson / Wayne Clarke / Chris Lawson / Lewis Brown / Darren Richardson / Stephen Salvin (capt) / Arran Wearmouth / Steven Turnbull / Adam Emson
Bishops made two changes from the side that battled back well for a point against South Shields on Saturday. Lewis Brown and Darren Richardson came in for Mark Henson and Simon Ord. Ryan Graham, Craig Toman, Steven West and Jordan Wymer were named on the bench.
Since returning to the Northern League, Bishops have a terrible record against Whitley Bay, having lost all eight previous league matches, some by big margins. But perhaps the tide is beginning to turn as the two meetings in the FA Cup earlier in the season were both well-fought encounters, with Whitley only progressing because five significant refereeing decisions all went in their favour.
After a few spots of rain, the match kicked off on a clear night at Hillheads, and the home side created the first chance with only five minutes on the clock. Peter Jeffries initially parried a McFarlane shot, but the rebound fell straight to Chow with the goal at his mercy. However, his header from a tight angle clipped the outside of the post and went behind.
For the rest of the half it was all Bishops, who harried and chased every ball, creating a host of chances, which they failed to convert.
Following good pressure in the Whitley box by Adam Emson, the ball fell to Steven Turnbull after 13 minutes, but the forwards’ shot flew comfortably wide of the post. Three minutes later, Darren Richardson skipped around his marker and fed a low cross into the box. This time, Turnbull’s goal-bound effort was deflected wide by ex-Bishop Rowe.
Bay had a lucky escape in the 25th minute when keeper Hayes’ clearance was charged down by the lively looking Wearmouth allowing Turnbull to attempt a 30 yard chip, but McFarlane managed to get back and head the ball off the line.
Five minutes later, a superb cross from Emson in the centre of the park was flighted over the last Whitley defender. Richardson did not have to break stride, but his well hit volley hit the top of the bar and went over with the keeper beaten.
The home side, who were continually frustrated by the offside trap managed to break through just after the half-hour, but Jeffries pulled off a good save down low from a Johnston shot.
In the 35th minute, after more good pressure in the box by Emson and Wearmouth, Stephen Salvin unleashed a terrific shot which was heading for the top corner and had goal written all over it, but the keeper pulled out a great one-handed save to deny the Bishop captain.
HT: Whitley Bay 0, Bishop Auckland 0
Not much to note in the second period until Bishops deservedly took the lead in the 58th minute from a throw-in that was wrongly awarded in their favour. The throw was headed on by Salvin to Wearmouth, who blasted home a powerful eight-yard shot from an acute angle. The youngsters’ fifth goal of the season was only the second league goal that Whitley have conceded at home all season and the first in six games.
Bishops continued to press, and on the hour, a low corner on the right was flicked up and on to Chris Lawson, but the defender’s header from near the penalty spot clipped the outside of the upright and went behind.
A minute later, Christopher Bell (who put in a superb performance on the night) ran through from the half-way line leaving three defenders in his wake before shooting from 25 yards, but the keeper was well placed to make the save.
Within minutes, Whitley Bay made a triple substitution, and the introduction of fresh legs made a big difference to the game. The home side began to look much more dangerous on the break and the long ball route one tactic was creating some difficulties for the Bishops defence.
But still the visitors attacked, and with twenty minutes to go, Adam Emson broke away and ran through on goal only to see his low shot palmed away for a corner. From the restart, Turnbull rose unmarked but his header flew just the wrong side of the post.
A few minutes later, Jeffries was able to back pedal and make a save at full stretch when a chip from Robinson on the right wing looked to have beaten him.
With just ten minutes to go, Whitley played their “get out of jail free” card when replacement referee Fyvie who, after initially ignoring a handball shout (remember those?), pointed to the spot seconds later for a very soft trip on Robinson. Once again, Bay had their seemingly obligatory penalty, and although Jeffries managed to get fingertips to the ball, Kerr equalised.
Bishops went in search of the lead again, and Emson twisted and turned, beating his defender before rolling the ball across the box perfectly towards Wearmouth with the goal at his mercy, but the youngster failed to make clean contact and his mistimed shot skewed wide.
If a draw was unfair on the Bishops, what was to happen in injury time was a complete injustice. With barely any stoppages of play, and no time wasted, it was difficult to see where the referee found the two additional minutes which enabled Bay to steal all three points.
They were further helped in their cause when a free kick was awarded 25-yards from goal for a mystery offence. As the kick was launched into the box by Robinson, an almighty goalmouth scramble ensued before Chow finally managed to poke the ball in.
Overall, a superb Bishops performance that resulted in no points, but for once in this contest, the best team lost!