Bishops bounce back from Shildon defeat to go top

Bishop’s perfect high flying start to the season was brought back to earth with a bump when title and local rivals, Shildon came visiting for the Two Blues’ first home game of the season. It was the Shildon contingent in a bumper crowd of 826 who were treated to an excellent performance, the damage being done in the first half, reports Gavin Hadden.

Martin Gray switched to a 4-4-2 formation to match up with the visitors, Amar Purewal coming into the side to partner Gary Martin up front.
Shildon showed their intent early, rattling the bar twice through former Two Blues man Jack Blackford and veteran striker Billy Greulich-
Smith.

They scored the goal their energetic, sharp football deserved when, on 27 minutes, Nelson stumbled in his effort to keep the ball in down the far touchline, only to gift his opponent a free run on goal. Greulich-Smith tapped the ball home as it was squared across the box.

Nelson’s afternoon went from bad to worse five minutes later when he slid to try and intercept a low cross but diverted the ball into his own net.

It could have been a worse scoreline at half time but the crossbar again came to the rescue, Steel this time finding the top of the bar with his effort.

Other than a few half chances for both sides the second period was a much quieter affair with Shildon disciplined and organised as Bishops’ inevitably had more of the ball than in the first half.

Hume came on to try and add some much needed energy to the Bishop midfield and although lively he was unable to help exert any pressure on the Shildon goal.

The following Tuesday, two late goals eventually broke the resistance of Newcastle Benfield as Bishops secured a deserved win to move into second place in the table after four games.

The Two Blues started positively with a guilt edge chance going begging inside the opening minute when Thompson side-footed wide.

Some lovely football opened up the visitors’ defence for Hume to poke his shot through the keeper’s legs, the ball trickling over the line for the game’s first goal on 16 minutes.

Against the run of play, and with their first meaningful attack, the away side, clad in Bishops’ spare away kit for the evening, equalised when a free kick from the right was headed in by Annang-Colquhoun.

Bishops made positive subs as the second half progressed and carved out numerous chances on the Benfield goal which were either blocked by a defender or saved.

Jarvie was a prominent figure down the right in tandem with Burlace and it was the former who provided a lovely chipped cross for Moody to head home at the far post with five minutes of normal time remaining.

The gloss on the scoreline Bishops’ dominance deserved arrived when Amar Purewal was released by a measured Burlace pass and the forward strode through to finish emphatically for his first goal for the club in a decade and a half.

Last Saturday saw the Two Blues march on in the FA Cup after a hard-fought 2-3 away win at Birtley Town.

Bishops looked to be on easy street with two goals in the opening 10 minutes from Purewal and Martin, but the hosts came back to level proceedings before the break, James Proctor (31) and Regan Paterson (45) leading the fightback.

But it was Dane Burlace who had the final say just after the hour to see Bishops through to play Crook Town away from home on 22 August.

Then in midweek, a 0-6 thumping of Horden saw Bishops take over at the top of the table, putting that loss to Shildon firmly behind them with their fourth win in five league games.

Amar Purewal (2), Ben Jordison (8), Gary Brown (20) and Craig Moody (27) had the visitors four up and out of sight before half an hour was played.Moody (68), and Gary Martin (72) finished off an emphatic win.

Next up, Bishops play the third of five straight away games when they travel to North Shields on Saturday and then to Birtley Town in midweek.

Then it’s that FA Cup Preliminary Round tie at Crook the following weekend before hosting Marske on 25 August – barring an FA Cup replay for either side. Penrith then visit Heritage Park on Saturday 29th for the final fixture of August.