Bishop Auckland v Pontefract Collieries

Recap

Bishop Auckland 1-1 Pontefract Collieries – Pitching In NPL East Division

Bishops line up: Catterick, Milburn, Risbrough, May, Brown, Fielding (Hodgson), Bartliff, Howard, Briggs (Giraud), Tymon, Johnson

The Bishops showed a degree of character after Saturday’s collapse to at least get a point on the league table against a very useful Pontefract outfit.

The visitors had the opening efforts on goal with Catterick getting his fingertips to a stinging shot to deflect it for a corner, however, once again it was Bishops who took the lead on 16 minutes when Briggs salvaged the ball and passed to Risbrough to float in a cross which Bartliff attacked to head in powerfully.

Bishops had the better of the opening half playing some good football and stretching the Pontefract defence, Briggs’s angled drive was pushed out by Allinson.  Catterick was forced into a smart save from a long-range Pontefract effort, highlighting their threat.

It was the away side from West Yorkshire who came out all guns blazing at the re-start and substitute Louis Chorlton made a quick impact on 50 minutes when some crisp passing dissected the Bishops’ defence for the striker to calmly slot home.  Soon later there was a big let-off when a Pontefract midfielder drove into the box and unleashed a shot which rattled Catterick’s bar with the keeper beaten.

Cyril Giraud came on for his two-blues debut and showed some nice touches as chances became a premium in the game.  Bishops almost snatched a late winner when Howard beat several defenders but his shot was blocked by an outstretched arm and Tymon’s follow-up attempt was flagged offside.

All in all this was a satisfactory result against a good side and something for Bishops to build on after a tough run of defeats.

Match report by Gavin Hadden