Recap
Bishops’ strolled to a win on Easter Monday against an under-strength Penrith side missing several key players.
The impressive Aran Taylor kept the score level in a one-sided first half which saw the experienced keeper make a string of excellent saves. Inside the opening ten minutes, Louis Johnson pounced on a laboured home defender’s attempted clearance and sprinted through on goal, but his low shot was blocked by the body of Taylor.
Bishops’ ramped up the intensity as the first half closed and on 39 minutes an excellent Burlace cross found Thexton whose powerful header from a couple of yards was brilliantly kept out.
Patton then had a great chance after an uncharacteristic spill from Taylor following a harmless-looking Gott free kick, the attacker unable to force his effort home. Moments later Hopson struck a powerful half-volley toward the goal which Taylor was equal to.
The prospect of a frustrating second half never materialised when seconds after the break Thexton got on the end of a Johnson pass to smash a shot into the net via a post.
Taylor made another good save from Thexton but the Penrith man of the match was beaten for a second time on 64 minutes when Jonson flicked in from close range after Thexton set him up. The game was done and dusted just three minutes later as Thexton got another goal from yards out when a Giles attempted shot fell kindly.
A final game winner takes all encounter is now set up with Ashington at Heritage Park on 22nd April.
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