A nightmare eight minute spell after half time saw Bishops’ surrender a very good first half to high flying North Ferriby, reports Gavin Hadden.
The two Jacks, Vaulks and Blackford made their home debuts in the first game of 2025 at Heritage Park for Bishops’ and the Villagers, from near Hull, were put under early pressure as a corner led to several efforts being blocked in a goalmouth scramble.
On 17 minutes, Sam Hodgson claimed his first goal for the club on his 26th appearance, getting a toe end to a low ball from Blackford, to divert it home off the underside of the crossbar.
The away side immediately responded with their first real purposeful attack, Kieron Ceesay powering down the left side and his cross shot deceiving Jack Norton to fly under the keeper’s body and into the net.
Ten minutes before half time, another Bishops’ attack broke down and Dane Burlace collected the ball to deliver a dipping cross which saw JJ Bartliff head home at the near post.
Gary Martin and Louis Johnson both had opportunities to extend the lead but were denied by the legs of Ben Bottomley in the Ferriby goal.
Jack Walters drew the away side level with a header from a corner before Ceesay grabbed his second, displaying good skill to beat his man before driving in his shot low and hard.
Bishops’ capitulation was complete with just 11 minutes of the second half played when Josh Thacker swept the ball past Norton after a flowing move cut the defence open.
Bishops’ struggled to get a foothold back into the game with no clear cut chances created, Martin flashing a shot just wide from distance with time almost up and most of the home crowd making their way to the exit.
Bishops maintain their 12th position in the Northern Premier League East Division and travel to 8th place Stocksbridge Park Steels, who are 11 points ahead of the Two Blues as Bishop Press goes to print.
They remain on the road on Saturday, albeit making the shorter trip to Dunston UTS, currently 4th in the table and very much in the title race, five points behind top spot with a game in hand.
The following Saturday, 8 February, they return home when Garforth Town will be the visitors to Heritage Park.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
