Bishop Auckland Football Club took on Northern League Leaders North Shields on Saturday and were delighted to welcome the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler and his wife Rosemary to Heritage Park.
Bishop Paul was invited to Heritage Park by club director, Steve Coulthard and during the game, whilst admiring the playing surface, he told Steve of his frequent visits to East Africa where every village has a football pitch but none have grass and everyone loves their football.
Bishops, who had narrowly lost away to North Shields in February, were hoping to regain their form following the last two home games when they drew one and lost one, but the crowd of 446 saw a game where a well organised North Shields side proved why they are currently leading the Northern League Division One.
With both sides cancelling each other out in the first 15 minutes North Shields took the lead when the Bishops defence failed to clear a long ball and Shields striker Wilson tucked the ball past Bishops keeper Thomas Dawson.
Bishop came back into the game when Priestley Griffiths had a good shot saved and then Alex Francis shot went close.
However, in the second half North Shields became more dominant and made it 2-0 when slack Bishop defending let in Carr to tap in a cross.
On Tuesday night Bishops hosted West Allotment at Heritage Park. Allotment, currently second from bottom in the league, had been thrashed 8-0 away to Morpeth in their last game, so hopes of a Bishop convincing win were high.
West Allotment started the game brightly not at all looking like relegation candidates and in 16 minutes Hindmarch put them in the lead.
Bishops leading scorer Andrew Johnson went close on a number of occasions and made it 1-1 on 36 minutes.
West Allotment regained the lead in the second half when Stephenson scored but Alex Francis equalised for Bishop with a good header.
Man of the Match Michael Hoganson won the game for Bishop with a thundering shot from 30 yards on 70 minutes.
Bishops play their sixth consecutive game at Heritage Park on Saturday when they host Jarrow Roofing and have announced their annual end of season presentation night will be held on Saturday 22nd April from 7pm to midnight.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
