Sunderland RCA v Bishop Auckland

Recap

Bishop Auckland: Liversedge, McGoldrick, Errington, Burlace, Risbrough, Mills, Gott, Weirs, Milburn, Giles, Whitfield

Bishops navigated a testing tie against familiar cup opponents RCA in a scrappy game at Meadow Park.

The bishops were the better team in the early stages and on 12 minutes had a double attempt at goal when Wiers shot was blocked then Milburn’s follow-up strike was headed just wide.  7 minutes later Ben Errington opened his two-blues account with a glancing header from an inviting Risbrough corner which pinged in off the inside of the far post.  Bishops then had a 2^nd goal chalked out for offside before the home side levelled with their first chance of the game.  It came when a left-sided corner was powerfully diverted past Liversedge by early sub Dom Moan.

Despite this blow, Bishops continued to have the better of any chances and perhaps should of gone in front on 32 minutes when the ball appeared to be clawed from behind the goal line by Marrs.  Despite the appeals of the vocal away support the officials stood firm.  Craig Gott was not to be denied on 38 minutes as he picked his spot beautifully from a 20-yard free-kick after Mills was fouled.  Once again the far post was called into action helping the ball on its way into the net.

The confident two blues looked to take the game away from the hosts inside 5 minutes of the re-start, Matty Weirs drilling a half volley into the roof of the net from a Risbrough cross.  Against the run of play, RCA pulled a goal back with 22 minutes remaining when Liversedge made a good save but could do nothing to prevent ex-Bishop Nelson from stooping to head in the resultant corner kick.

The bishops looked reasonably comfortable as the game played out to a conclusion and can now look forward to an attractive away tie at Bury AFC in round one in 4 weeks’ time.