Recap
Bishop Auckland: Liversedge, Burlace, Banks, McGoldrick, Errington, Daly, Weirs, Fairley, Thexton, Johnson, Giles
Dean Thexton was the Bishops’ match-winner as the two blues came from behind in an action-packed second half which burst to life just after the hour mark when Matty Waters gave the home side a shock lead from a Ryder cross.
A scrappy first half played out in blustery conditions saw ‘Town’ test Liversedge in the opening minutes with an effort from Hope. On 17 minutes Johnson brought a good save out of Hassall as the young stopper stretched himself to keep out a hard low shot. Banks, operating at left back in place of the suspended Risbrough, impressed as the half progressed and had the beating of Snook on a couple of occasions resulting in several dangerous crosses that were unable to be capitalised on.
The turning point in the game came 10 minutes after Bishops had gone behind when first a looping shot bounced off Liversedge’s far post and then the rebound was hacked off the line by a covering defender. 60 seconds later and Thexton, who had largely cut a frustrated figure up to this point, bundled in a looping Banks cross that seemed to be aided by the wind. Just 4 minutes later, the striker was gifted his second when a through ball slipped through the body of Hassall, giving Thexton the simple task of tapping into an empty net.
Northallerton went in search of an equaliser and Bishops escaped several nervy moments and a couple of handball appeals only for Thexton to register his treble with 89 minutes on the clock when he capitalised on a poor touch in the centre of the pitch and raced through to dink a lovely finish over the keeper.
This win gives the Bishops a huge confidence boost ahead of Saturday’s crunch game at Ashington.
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