Bishops suffer league and cup disappointment

An afternoon punctuated by chaos and ill discipline resulted in Bishops exiting the FA Cup on 30 August to lower league Chadderton FC of the North West Counties League Premier Division, reports Gavin Hadden.

The game’s opening exchanges were cagey with no chances at either end with the first moment of confusion coming on 28 minutes when Jack Blackford was booked despite Wayne Whitfield being the culprit.

The out-of-sorts Jake Hackett was replaced on 36 minutes by Robbie Spence, and two minutes later Alfie Gordon was relieved when he spilled the ball but the effort into the back of his net was chalked off as the assistant had raised his flag for an offside.

The game exploded into life when Lewis-Simon Byrne curled the Oldham-based visitors ahead on 41 minutes, Bishops’ defence offering too much time and space.

What followed a couple of minutes later resulted in a near 15-minute delay when Dean Thexton retaliated after being fouled, sparking a huge brawl involving players, management and other staff.

In the chaos, the referee again carded the incorrect player, as Aaron Brown was initially shown a red which was later rescinded and the correct culprit, Thexton was then sent off.

The half-time whistle arrived shortly after the re-start with Bishops needing to regroup somehow in order to get back into the game.

A bright start to the second half, despite Blackford limping off, saw James Risbrough poke a shot against the post which fell for Michael
Roberts to smash home the equaliser.

But Bishops were only on level terms for eight minutes as Chadderton exploited the man advantage to find space for Matthew Barlow, who made no mistake with a smart finish past Gordon.

Roberts had another chance to level when he burst through but was denied by Joseph Oldham in the visitors’ goal.

Gordon made a good save at the other end but was beaten again just a minute later on 69 minutes when Byrne flicked the ball past Patrick Almond to run on to and rounded Gordon to tap home.

Bishops tried in vain to drag themselves back into the game in the final stages but Chadderton had another couple of opportunities on the break which were thwarted by Gordon, and the Manchester based side were the ones celebrating shortly after.

The following Tuesday evening saw the Two Blues head for West Yorkshire and Garforth Town with Jermaine Metz returning to the side after a few weeks away, but Bishops were instantly on the back foot as a lightening start saw a great ball whipped in for Rinor Ejupi to head the opener inside a minute.

It got worse five minutes later when a strike by Harry Colville went in off the underside of the bar.

Bishops were unable to get to grips with Garforth’s runners but on 25 minutes a spectacular Roberts strike from 25 yards found the far upright and a corner shortly after was cleared off the line.

The half played out without any further goals as Bishops at least stemmed the danger and had another chance just before the break with the ball hacked away from near the line by the Garforth defence.

Loan signing Will Maddison was introduced for the re-start and he instantly made an impression trying to get on the ball and make something happen.

However it was the home side who went further in front on 51 minutes, Ejupi bursting through and forcing the ball past Gordon.

Maddison set up Roberts to give Bishops some encouragement on 66 minutes, the forward cutting across the ball to send it in off the far post.

But despite renewed endeavour, the hosts killed the game off when former Two Blues defender Jordan Emery beat Gordon to head in a corner.

The final act of another disappointing outing saw Van Zandvliet tower above his marker from a Coppinger corner, but it was too little too late.

This weekend, Bishops are back on the road, this time heading for The Dransfield Stadium on the outskirts of Hull to face North Ferriby.

The Villagers are currently two points and five places above Bishops in the table, albeit they have played two games more than their visitors in what is so far a closely contested division.

That will be followed on the Tuesday evening (16 September) by a trip north to take on Blyth Town, currently rock bottom on two points.

The Two Blues will then have a Saturday off before hosting Redcar Athletic on Tuesday 23 September at Heritage Park.

The league newcomers have made an impressive start to their first ever campaign at Step 4, currently sitting fourth after three wins from their first four games.