Recap
A dominant first half saw Bishops build a commanding two-goal lead in the final home game of the regular season, with goals through Bartliff and Risbrough.
Louis Johnson manufactured a great opportunity to open the scoring in the first minute but his effort was deflected into the side netting by Bussey and out for a corner. The Whickham keeper pulled off a spectacular reaction save from Bartliff as Bishop’s superiority began to show and on 24 minutes the midfielder did open the scoring when Johnson crossed low allowing for a simple finish which was blasted into the top corner.
Just four minutes later Risbrough got his first goal of the season, meeting a Johnson cross to plant a header past Bussey despite the keeper getting his hand to the effort. Bussey made another point-blank save, again from Bartliff, and Johnson cut in on a mazy run but fired his low shot just wide. Bishops had to settle for a two-goal half-time lead.
A monumental ‘wobble’ greeted the opening stages of the second period as Whickham scored twice within six minutes. First Burrell glanced in a header from a set piece and then the prolific Robson got on the end of his own header with Lay in no man’s land and the forward scuffed a finish beyond Catterick.
This collapse had little time to register as immediately Bishops won a corner which Hackett centred and that man Bartliff was on hand to guide home the ball with his outstretched leg.
In truth, there was little danger on the Bishops’ goal as the remaining 35 minutes of the game played out with a lack of rhythm in a strong swirling wind. In what should be the last action for Bishops at home this season, the supporters roared off the players, as the remaining five games are all scheduled away from home.
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