Recap
Bishops squeezed through to a 2nd Qualifying tie at South Shields after a much more eventful 90 minutes than Saturday’s original tie.
‘West’ had two excellent chances to open the scoring with Hope squeezing a shot under Catterick but the foot of the post came to Bishops’ aid. Scott then found himself with just Catterick to beat but looped his effort onto the roof of the net.
On 20 minutes Watt cut inside the ‘West’ defence but Banda did well to block the shot. After Potter glided a header just wide for the home side on the half-hour mark, the deadlock in the tie was finally broken at the opposite end when Burlace floated in a cross which crashed off Banda’s crossbar and presented Bartliff with a simple header into an unguarded net.
Bishops almost had further breathing space minutes prior to the interval when May fired a powerful shot that was heading into the top corner, only for Banda to make a flying save.
‘West’ were level just five minutes into the second half when the referee awarded a penalty after Hope was fouled just after his shot was saved by Catterick. Hegarty gave Catterick no chance with the resultant spot kick. The sides were only level for a minute as the excellent Johnson, who’s tireless running all game gave the home defence little rest bite, picked up the ball dribbled past a defender and got a shot away which took a deflection to send Banda the wrong way.
The home keeper pulled off another excellent save from Bartliff as the Bishop’s midfielder met a cross from the right from a few yards out. Bartliff was injured in a collision that followed and had to be replaced by Bulmer. On 64 minutes Thexton was given his second yellow of the game after being punished for simulation and this made for a nervy end to the game.
In between efforts which tested Catterick, Johnson had a half volley which was destined for the corner of the net only for Banda to produce a fine fingertip save. A number of ‘West’ subs followed as they pressed for an equaliser but the robust Bishops’ defence held firm to close out a battling win.
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