Bishop Auckland v West Auckland Town

Recap

In front of another bumper ‘Auckland Derby’ Heritage Park crowd Bishops edged out a very useful West Auckland side courtesy of Louis Johnson’s winner at the beginning of the second half.

Bishops had the better of the opening 20 minutes which saw an early attempt headed off the line by Potter before the visitors had a couple of forays into home territory resulting in efforts from distance.

On 23 minutes a Johnson shot ended up at the feet of Thexton, and the number nine instinctively scooped the ball high into the net from 6 yards out.  The lead didn’t last ten minutes as a passage of play at the other end saw the ball deflected into the path of the impressive Oscar Fletcher by a Bishop defender, and the youngster finished with aplomb past Catterick.

The half-time whistle probably suited Bishops’ more as ‘West’ broke again with speed but Bailey blazed his shot high and wide when well placed.

Ten minutes into the second period Catterick just held on to a testing shot from distance, and a couple of minutes later Thexton played in Johnson with a cute reverse pass, the diminutive striker displaying quick feet to find room to place his shot past Banda.

Bishops’ looked to turn the screw and on the hour mark Potter cleared the danger after Banda had saved from close range.  ‘West’ demonstrated that they were still very much a threat and Greenwood tickled the side netting with a snapshot after good work by Harrison.

With 12 minutes left ‘West’ thought they had scored a second equaliser but the flag had been raised after Scott headed in a cross.

Bishops had a succession of good chances to seal the win, the best coming when Henderson was released on goal but the substitute lacked sharpness and the ball was blocked at his feet by Banda.  Johnson was hacked to the ground in the follow-up but Gott’s free-kick right on the edge of the box was blocked.