A roller-coaster fortnight of results have seen Bishop Auckland FC progress in the FA Vase after a memorable 3-0 win over Northwich Victoria, fall out of the League Cup after a not so memorable loss at home to Horden CW on penalties and close the gap at the top of the league to just three points after a 0-6 thrashing of Penrith.
An even first half at Heritage Park could have made for a more nervous second period in the FA Vase, but Craig Gott’s opener, in the fourth minute of added time just before the interval, proved pivotal.
A double by Liam Henderson in the second half made sure it was the Two Blues heading into the Second Round and a trip to face Stockport Georgians of the North West Counties League Division One South.
Bishops were, however, brought back down to earth with a bump when Horden CW visited the following midweek in the League Cup and held the Two Blues to a 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes.
The hosts took the lead, once again in added time at the end of the first half, when Dane Burlace thumped home a direct free kick.
But the second division side were not to be cowed and levelled the tie through Neil Fannan in the 66th minute before holding out for the draw and winning the penalty shootout 3-4.
However, the Two Blues bounced back by putting six past Penrith in the league where they now sit just three points behind Shildon with both sides having played the same number of games.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
