Bishop Auckland FC extended their winning run to seven matches in all competitions with away wins at North Shields, Birtley Town in the league and Crook Town in the FA Cup as well as a home league win over Marske United earlier in the week.
Bishops’ controlled the game at North Shields from start to finish, reports Gavin Hadden, and it was a first half Gary Martin goal in 17 minutes and a late Martin Hume goal in added time that secured another three points in North Tyneside.
Next up was a return to Birtley Town on league duty and Bishops repeated the winning 3-2 scoreline of a few weeks earlier in the FA Cup at the same venue to stay top of the table, but had to battle hard to come from behind twice.
The home side took a 15th minute lead when Proctor was played in down the side of the Two Blues defence and he squared the ball for Gettins to finish.
Seven minutes later Bishops’ first attacking move of the game saw Robertson tee up Martin to nod into the roof of the net via the turf.
Some questionable offside decisions saw Thompson sin binned for dissent and the hosts took advantage on 34 minutes when the referee played an advantage and Aitken guided his finish past Bland.
In the second half with Bishops putting the hosts on the back foot, Gordon made another save and from the resultant
corner Potter powered in a header to make it two each.
What proved to be the winning goal arrived with twenty minutes left, Martin getting free down the right and squaring to Moddy who scooped the ball past Gordon from close range.
Luke Williams made his long awaited debut for Bishops’ after his international clearance was finally granted, coming straight into the side for their FA Cup tie at the Millfield.
Crook had an early attack which required Bland to pull off a save. On 9 minutes a Bishop corner was defended and the ball was picked up by Howard outside the box, the midfielder curling a lovely shot into the top corner.
Bishops’ had a measure of control of the game and opened up a two goal cushion on 38 minutes when Moody dispossessed Galbraith and crossed the ball low into the box which the home keeper could only parry out to Martin, the forward making space to fire home.
As with the start to the game Crook came out on the attack in the second half, but it was the Two Blues who were clinical when the game was wrapped up on 53 minutes. A poor clearance from the goalkeeper dropped to Martin who steered a first time volley into the open goal from 25 yards out.
Bishops were rewarded with a trip on Sunday 6 September to Emley AFC of the Northern Premier League Premier Division in the First Qualifying Round.
Meanwhile, haviing been able to use all five substitutes in the game to save legs for Tuesday’s home league fixture against Marske, Bishops’ returned to home territory after five consecutive away wins to sweep aside an energetic visiting side and remain clear at the top of the table.
Laim Potter rose to guide an 11th minute header past the away keeper. Bishops’ football was precise and enterprising for good spells and Williams brought a superb save from the impressive Algie midway through the half.
The outstanding Howard pulled the strings in midfield and the equally impressive Potter even cropped up in the opposition box to swivel and turn before having a shot deflected onto the Marske bar.
The visitors started the second half better with Bland and his defence called on to shut down the threat without any clear chances being created.
The gloss on the scoreline the performance deserved was added in the final 15 minutes when Moody grabbed two goals. His first came on 76 minutes when his cross from near the goal line took a wicked deflection and looped into the far corner.
His second came six minutes from time after good play from Martin and Hume, setting up a simple tap in to send the 500 plus crowd home happy.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
