Recap
An overcast and drizzle evening on the East Durham coast gave way to a nip and tuck opening 15 minutes to Bishop’s second outing of the season. On 20 minutes the first real chance of the game fell to Louis Johnson after a long ball from Catterick saw the forward bearing on goal with just the keeper to beat but couldn’t keep his side-footed effort low enough as the ball fell on top of the net.
The home side was beginning to look bright, particularly down the left side where Whitfield was playing out of position to cover the absence of Burlace, and Catterick was forced into a smart save grabbing a sharp shot in mid-air. On 38 minutes a flowing move resulted in a low ball played into the Bishops box and Chisholm flicked the ball into the net to open the scoring. May was subsequently replaced by McGoldrick at the heart of the Bishop’s defence.
Early into the second half, Johnson didn’t know too much about an effort which he guided onto the foot of Jennison’s post but the ball stayed out to Seaham’s relief. The bright opening to the half continued and Lay headed just over from a lovely free kick.
Catterick made a superb double save just short of the hour mark when he first blocked a Dart effort then quickly got back into position to thwart Burnicle who looked like he would make no mistake from the rebound. The huge let-off seemed to spark the Bishops into a much better tempo as a series of inviting crosses put the home defence under pressure and on 67 minutes it was trademark Gott free kick from the left which found Bartliff free to glance his header powerfully into the net.
Bishops searched for a winner but Seaham always looked dangerous on the break and in the dying moments huge shouts for a penalty were waved away to give both sides a share of the spoils. FT 1-1. ATT 222.
Match report by Gavin Hadden
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