Bishop Auckland FC have endured a mixed set of results throughout the month of February with half a dozen games evenly dispersed amongst wins, draws and losses.
Eight points from the twelve on offer has seen the club take another step up the league ladder from 12th in January to 11th at the end of February.
The month began in fine fashion with a seven-goal thriller in Dunston. Bishops took a two-goal lead within the first 20 minutes, but were pegged back by half-time.
However, another two in the second half saw the Two Blues return home with maximum points after Dunston’s last gasp third proved too little too late.
Bishops took their confidence into the next fixture, at home to Garforth, with Joe Bartliff scoring the game’s only goal in the 18th minute to earn the hosts a perfect start to the month.
Three days later, however, came a painful late home defeat at the hands of Ashington.
Having taken the lead through Martin in the 19th minute, the visitors levelled on the half hour before Ryan Donaldson’s 83rd minute strike snatched all three points.
Next was a visit to Ossett United and with Bishops leading through a Louis Johnson goal in the 63rd minute, another late goal for the opposition meant the Two Blues would have to be content with picking up a point on the road.
It was then back to Heritage Park where lowly Sherwood Colliery were the visitors on the evening of Tuesday 18 February.
Having gone behind within two minutes, Bishops battled back to lead 2-1 by the break, but yet again, were struck in their Achilles heel, conceding twice in the final ten minutes to squander all three points in a game they were arguably expected to win.
In their final game of the month, at home to Bradford Park Avenue, it was the turn of the Two Blues to rescue something late in the game, having gone behind in the first half to an Iyrwah Gooden goal.
However, with 15 minutes remaining, Andrew May came to rescue, netting the equaliser to earn the home side a point.
Bishops’ first two fixtures in March will be on the road – at bottom club Sheffield this weekend followed by a visit to Belper Town on the 8th.
Then it’s back home on the 15th when league leaders Cleethorpes Town will be the visitors to Heritage Park.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
