Bishop Auckland FC face a date with footballing destiny this weekend when they host Blyth Spartans at Heritage Park requiring a win to have any hope of avoiding relegation to the Northern League.
While maximum points from their final three games would almost certainly have guaranteed another season in the Northern Premier League East, the Two Blues have collected just three points from the six available.
Had they the choice of who to take those three points from, however, they would likely have chosen fellow strugglers, Blyth Town.
In a true ‘six pointer’, Bishops knew a win over Blyth Town on 11 April would see an escape from the relegation zone with only two games to play, writes Gavin Hadden.
A strong wind added to the chaos of an opening 20 minutes that saw three goal line clearances and a missed penalty.
The visitors were first to threaten when a Hume back pass was intercepted and after veering wide, the Blyth forward saw his shot blocked on the line by the covering Scott.
Jesus in the Blyth goal was unaware of a lurking Thexton and as he threw the ball forward the striker stole it, which led to Blackford eventually being fouled in the box.
Thexton placed his penalty to the keeper’s right but didnt get enough power on it and Jesus saved.
Minutes later Blyth broke forward, crashed a shot off the crossbar then the follow up was again blocked.
Next it was Bishops’ turn to waste a great opportunity as Thexton chased what looked like a lost cause, won the ball and crossed for Lambert who looked certain to score, however his effort was diverted for a corner.
The wind subsided after the break and Bishops’ won a second penalty on 54 minutes when Risbrough was felled. Whitfield this time stepped up and stroked home.
Lambert hit the post with a crisp strike from the edge of the box and Risbrough set up Lambert but the young forward scuffed his shot harmlessly into the arms of Jesus.
Blyth had a chance to level against the run of play but a half volley passed the far post to the relief of Norton.
After almost eight minutes of added time Bishops’ could celebrate a crucial win making it a trio of single goal wins in the space of a week.
Next up was a trip to play-off chasing Bradford (Park Avenue), who hit Bishops’ with a barrage of early corners, and thought they had got the best possible start but for a header being ruled out for offside inside the opening couple of minutes.
On the half hour mark, Jack Norton failed to get a good enough contact on his kick out from goal and Marcus Carver dished out the worst possible punishment as he sent the ball sailing over the keeper’s head and into the net.
Another error almost saw the home side go two goals clear but Brown’s weak header back to Norton was defended well by Potter despite strong penalty appeals.
Bishops’ failed to record a meaningful effort on the home goal in the opening half, so an effort was welcomed from Thexton after the break that squeezed through a defender’s legs but was gathered by Hall between the sticks.
Arran Brown did have the ball in the net when a free kick dropped to him to fire high into the top corner but an offside flag was raised to cut short any celebrations.
There was a late flurry of chances, but at the wrong end if you were a Bishops’ supporter – Jack Norton making three fine saves in quick succession.
This single goal defeat sees Bishops’ go into this Saturday’s final league game needing a win alongside Ossett dropping points at home to Bradford (Park Avenue) in order to avoid the drop.
Gavin Hadden
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
