Unbeaten start for Bishops in league and cup

The competitive football season got under way on a lovely warm sunny day at Heritage Park as Bishop Auckland FC hosted Whickham in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, reports Gavin Hadden.

Bishops’ fielded no fewer than six debutants and a further two return debuts.

The start of the game was noted for its uneventfulness with a pedestrian pace being played out on the sun drenched pitch.

The breakthrough came when Bishops’ won a corner in the 21st minute which was cleared out to Risbrough who floated a ball back into the box.

Dean Thexton was able to get in front of the keeper and bundle the ball into an empty net to open his and the team’s account for the season.

Whickham looked threatening on the break every now and again and it was a set piece which brought the ‘Lang Jacks’ level four minutes before half time.

Sam Johnson got ahead of his marker in the box to plant a header past Gordon at his near post.

Paul Van Zandvielt momentarily thought he had put Bishops’ back in front five minutes after the re-start but it was chalked off for a foul.

However the imposing midfielder did grab his goal just seven minutes later after a Wayne Whitfield free kick was parried and he raced onto the loose ball to knock home.

The same player was again involved in what was a great chance to open up a two goal lead when the impressive Whitfield whipped in a cross and Van Zandvielt headed just wide with the goal at his mercy.

The plucky Northern Leaguers finished the game strongly as they piled bodies forward in search of a shock equaliser and this arrived deep into stoppage time when a shot was fired in and Van Zandvielt smothered the ball with his hands.

Lavery stepped up to cooly place his penalty kick past the diving Gordon and force a replay at the ‘Glebe’ the following Wednesday evening.

The rematch proved an altogether more comfortable experience for Bishops’ who ran out easy 0-5 winners against ten man Whickham to book their place in the next round.

A penalty award in 14 minutes saw Calum Munro sent off for handball on the line and Thexton step up to get the visitors on the way.

However, it took until the 33rd minute before Bishops’ doubled their advantage, with Andrew May converting high into the roof of the net after a goalmouth scramble.

The hosts will have felt unfortunate to go into the break three down when, on the stroke of half-time, James Risbourgh’s cross come shot beat Jack Halton in the home goal.

Two more goals late in the second half added to the already certain victory with Fowler converting in the 88th and 90th minutes.

Bishops will now host Horden CW in the Preliminary Round after they shocked Blyth Town of the Northern Premier League East by 1-2.

Meanwhile, Bishops’ new league campaign got off to the perfect start last weekend with the 4-1 defeat of Ossett United, who had taken an 8th minute 1-0 lead through Basile Zottos into the second half.

However, a four-goal blitz in the final 25 mintues ensured a winning start.

Aaron Brown drew the Two Blues level on 64 minutes and just five minutes later, the game was turned on its head when Thexton converted from close range.

Liam Jarvie fired home to extend the lead with twelve minutes remaining, before Thexton claimed his second two minutes from time to cap a strong Bishops’ comeback.

The game also saw a collection for the Team Solan cancer charity raise £146.

On Tuesday (12 August), the side travelled to Ashington for their first away game of the season and were disappointed to return home with just a point after Robbie Spence gave Bishops’ an early 12th minute lead.

While Ashington had the better of the second period, a resolute defence held out until the final minute of added time when the hosts levelled with a Harry Powell free kick which sneaked in at the back post in the 93rd minute.

Next up, on Saturday, is that FA Cup tie before hosting the early league leaders, Redcar Athletic on Tuesday evening. Bank Holiday Monday (25 August) sees a 3pm local derby kick-off at Newton Aycliffe.