Recap
Bishops got the season off to a start with a disjointed and scratchy performance against neighbours Crook Town and were thankful for a late charge which brought an 88th-minute equaliser.
An even opening 25 minutes burst into life when a Crook effort was ruled out for offside because of the use of a hand and moments later Gott scored a free kick after Whitfield had been fouled just outside the area. The captain stroked home a low effort which beat Curran for pace. The ‘Black and Ambers’ were level on 31 minutes when former Bishop midfielder Trotter was in acres of space to plant a header across Catterick and into the far corner.
Thexton should have given Bishops an undeserved halftime lead when Gott was played over the Crook defence only for his cutback to be fired wide with a couple of defenders trying to cover.
Bishops were given a huge let off at the start of the second half when Catterick was able to get down to smother a scuffed effort from several yards out but Crook did edge ahead in the game when Catterick this time was unable to keep out a rebound after doing brilliantly to claw back the initial effort off his goal line, Moody hammering home to the delight of the strong away contingent.
With the Bishops not really yet to get into any form of coherent attacking rhythm Howard and Johnson came off the bench with half an hour to play. On 87 minutes a corner swung into the box and was forced into the net by Errington but the officials correctly spotted a handball offence. However, with the next attack Bishops levelled when Bartliff looped a ball over the defence which Henderson nodded square to Howard who nodded into an empty net from a couple of yards out for his first competitive goal for the club. FT 2-2. ATT 534.
Match report by Gavin Hadden
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