Recap
A markedly improved second-half performance from Bishops’ secured a much-needed win after a run of results without a victory.
A low-key opening half saw both sides slug it out on an uneven bobbly pitch. Kyle Patton had the hosts’ best chance when he found the side netting when well placed and only Catterick to beat. Louis Johnson had Bishops’ best moment when his header from a Risbrough corner was hacked clear of the goal line.
A common theme of the first half was the vocal, bordering on ‘unsportsmanlike’ appeals of offside from the Whichkam number 4. Dale Burrell every time Bishops’ attacked.
It only took a couple of minutes of second-half action for the ‘two blues’ to show their intent when Cal Patton pushed the ball through a defender’s legs for Giles to latch on to and slide the ball under the keeper to open the scoring.
On the hour mark Johnson was found with a lovely weighted pass over the defence and he beat Harker with an instinctive finish to give the Bishops a familiar-looking two-goal lead. This time, however, it was a lead that only looked like increasing as the home side barely threatened. Bishops’ superiority was rubber-stamped on 69 minutes when Giles ghosted past Garside and guided the ball into the far corner.
Patton glanced in a header from a set piece as Bishops’ looked to boost their goal difference but his ‘goal’ was chalked out for offside. Fairley and Weirs made cameo substitute appearances and the latter almost grabbed a trademark goal with a delicate chip that went just over the bar.
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