Bishop Auckland v Bridlington Town

Recap

A drenched cold afternoon is not what you picture for an early August FA Cup tie, but Bishops’ supporters were warmed with a thoroughly convincing performance to dismiss NPL East Bridlington Town.

There was a swagger about Bishops’ early play that had been missing in the two previous games of the new season and a deflected goal after only six minutes from a trademark Giles cut inside set the platform for a dominant opening half.

Errington was regularly seen in advanced positions down the Bridlington left-hand side and the defender found space in behind to drive a low shot which Hitchcock saved well with his legs.  Giles had another effort which brought a sprawling save and the resultant corner found a Bishops player in the box, but his point-blank shot was smothered by the keeper.

Bridlington had barely laid a glove on Bishops to this point but were gifted a glorious chance to equalise a couple of minutes before halftime when a high ball beat Lay and Catterick saved smartly with his feet to deny Aydemir.

 Bridlington only survived three minutes of the second period, Errington crossing from the right and the pace on the ball beat the last defender with Thexton on hand to steer home.  On the hour mark, a free header for the East Yorkshire outfit was wasted at the far post.

Gott drilled a powerful volley just wide, but the captain did get on the score sheet when he slotted home from the spot after Johnson had been brought down on 74 minutes to end the contest.  The rain was at its heaviest for the final stages of the game with Bishops seeing out the win that sees another home tie in two weeks v Seaham Red Star.

Match report by Gavin Hadden