Bishop Auckland v Cleethorpes Town

Recap

The league leaders produced an efficient display of finishing to edge to a narrow win and further boost their title aspirations.  Bishops competed well all game but will look towards several missed chances as the main factor for not getting a deserved result from the game.

Louis Johnson latched onto a ball over the defence in the opening minutes and went round the keeper with speed but a little too wide and by the time a covering defender had got back on the line the shot was pulled wide.

On 20 minutes the ‘Owls’ with their first real opening of the game opened the scoring, a neat move releasing Dockerty in the box and the finish past Norton was impressive.

The mid-section of the first half was nip and tuck but Bishops certainly finished the stronger with Johnson getting to the bye line and delivering a lovely cross which May hooked into the top corner to draw the scores level.

The game’s winning goal was scored just past the hour mark, although the pass involved in the build-up looked suspiciously offside.  Nicky Walker was the man to take advantage steering an accurate shot beyond Norton and into the far corner.

Bishops kept on plugging away and after a couple of strong penalty shouts had a great chance to again level up matters when a long Halford throw found Johnson and the forward’s powerful shot was deflected out for a corner by the knees of goalkeeper Battersby.

The visitors were strong in seeing out the remainder of the game and as Bishops looked to pile men forward a Fielding slip in possession allowed a forward to advance toward goal but Norton was on hand to beat the shot away.

Match report by Gavin Hadden.