Bishop Auckland FC eventually exited the FA Cup after a midweek replay against NPL Premier Division side Emley, with extra time heartache deciding the tie, reports Gavin Hadden.
The Two Blues had earned themselves a deserved replay after holding their higher league opponents to a 1-1 draw away from home in a rare Sunday fixture. Emley had taken the lead in that fixture with just ten minutes remaining, but a stunning effort by John Howard, deep into added time, ensured the game would be decided at Heritage Park.
Bishops’ were the better side in the opening 45 minutes of the replay, creating a couple of good chances. Luke Williams had a number of efforts that would not go his way and just before the break, Ben Jordison had the clearest sight on goal but was denied by the legs of Ben Bottomley in the visitors’ goal. It was a fairly even start after the break with both sides’ well marshalled defences cancelling each other out.
On the 70 minute mark, Williams had another shot blocked to his frustration and then more good play saw a shooting opportunity which was put over the Emley crossbar. The visitors finished the game the stronger side, in search of snatching a late winner but it was thirteen minutes into extra time when they finally breached the home defence when Shane Bland was exposed and the ball was put on a plate for an easy tap-in.
Bishops’ still had the energy to put some pressure on the Emley goal and on 113 minutes substitute Harry Norris had a shot deflected wide and the resultant corner was clawed away from just in front of the goal line. The game was up three minutes later as Di Giralomo capitalised, catching Bishops on the break to curl a shot into the corner. A disappointing end to the night was complete when Dane Burlace was shown a second yellow and Norris a straight red – the latter appearing to follow through in the air on an Emley defender.
Meanwhile, in earlier league action, Bishops stretched their winning run in the league to seven in a row with a bank holiday weekend win against Penrith followed by a narrow away win at Newcastle Blue Star. The Two Blues showed what an efficient outfit they can be against the visitors from across the Pennines as Arron Thompson opened his goalscoring account for the club and Liam Jarvie got his season up and running with a second half goal.
A low key first half saw Bishops’ have plenty of the ball but with only a single goal to show for it, Thompson getting on the end of a corner in the 8th minute to steer the ball in off the far post with an outstretched leg as he tussled with a defender. Penrith looked to break from time to time with quick passes but had nothing up front to really unsettle Bishops’ and Bland dealt with one weak effort from distance with another shot on goal flying high and wide.
As half-time approached Williams was on the end of a speedy Bishop move with a shot which hit the side netting. Vinnie Steels then showed great trickery to beat a couple of defenders and cross for Moody, but the attacking midfielder could not direct his diving header into an empty net. Burlace replaced Jordison for the second half, and it was the away side who had the first opportunity and their best of the game with a low shot which kissed the surface and just wide of the far post. Jarvie was introduced midway through the half and this coincided with Bishops’ increasing the tempo.
It was Jarvie who effectively ended the game as a contest on the 66th minute mark, benefiting from good work by Gary Martin to find a yard of space before firing a lovely angled shot into the far corner. An linesman’s flag denied Bishops a third goal when Martin was called offside from a sublime Burlace pass. A good afternoon’s work was completed with Shane Bland not having to make any major contributions, a sign of the control Bishop had on the game.
The following Tuesday night saw Bishops make their first ever visit to the very impressive Scotswood Road ground in the west end of Newcastle. With the game against Blue Star firmly in the balance, Bishops’ won a corner in the 68th minute which Williams centred, and Liam Potter rose between defenders to power home what proved to be the winning goal.
Next up is more cup action as Bishops travel to NCEL Premier Division Knaresborough Town’s Manse Lane this weekend in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round. Barring a replay in that tie, Bishops are scheduled to travel on league duty to Carlisle City the following Tuesday evening before hosting Kendal Town at Heritage Park the following Tuesday (22 Sep).
Gavin Hadden
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
