Bishop Auckland FC stepped up their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 victory in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, followed by a midweek 7-1 thrashing of Newcastle Benfield in the league.
The wins follow two score draws in their opening league games to leave the Two Blues on five points after three games and through to face Seaham Red Star at Heritage Park in the next round of the FA Cup.
A last gasp equaliser by John Howard on the opening day of the season saw the Bishops earn a 2-2 draw at home to Crook Town on Saturday 29 July. Craig Gott had opened the scoring for the hosts in the 25th minute, but goals by Ben Trotter in the 30th and Craig Moody in the 54th looked like earning an away win for the visitors until Howard had other ideas.
A few days later it was Joseph Bartliff’s turn to rescue a point for the Two Blues when his 67th minute goal cancelled out Bradley Chisholm’s opener for hosts Seaham Red Star on 1 August. But the Bishops season sparked into life last weekend when Marcus Giles (6), Dean Thexton (47) and a Craig Gott penalty in the 73rd minute ensured a comfortable passage into the next round of the cup. Then in midweek, a Thexton hat-trick, a Louis Johnson double and goals from Giles and Bartliff earned the side their first league win of the season.
Next up, this Saturday is another 3pm home league fixture with Boro Rangers the visitors to Heritage Park.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
