BISHOP AUCKLAND 3-1 WEST AUCKLAND
Friday 22 February, 7:30PM, LeagueWest Auckland were blown away in the strong winds as they crumbled to a 3-1 defeat against local rivals Bishop Auckland with an embarrassing display that brought little positives on a night to forget.
Kicking with the wind in the first half, West Auckland were expected therefore to start the brighter. As it was Bishop came within inches of a sixth minute lead - a quick break finding Andrew Harrison whose low shot seemed to clip the outside of the post.
The West defence was all at sea in the 9th minute when an unmarked Bishop player headed over from a matter of yards - yet the let off still did not kick start West. Ex West manager Lee Ellison blazed over a free kick and another effort, both from good positions as only one side looked like creating chances on goal.
It took until the 27th minute for West's first true effort although ex Bishop winger Bryan Stewart scuffed his effort tamely wide. Kevin Bromley then had claims for a tug in the penalty area turned down as it looked as if West were beginning to get a hold of the conditions.
However they were undone in the 33rd minute when, following a previous unheeded warning, a cross found 2 Bishop players unmarked yards from goal and Carl Chillingsworth headed in.
Danny Richmond nearly got West back level when Peter Keen was forced into an unexpected parry and quickly recovered to collect the rebound. West did level in first half stoppage time - Kevin Bromley's cross floated in behind the group of players attacking the near post, where Paul Freary raced in to finish from close range.
West began the second half better - Freary headed over minutes after the restart as they looked to build momentum. Danny Key's charge out of midfield saw him fire narrowly over as the visitors showed more purpose.
Bishop though reacted with Luke Ball's fizzing low shot superbly parried by Alan Wilkinson who saw the ball late, Lee Ellison latched onto the rebound but saw his shot deflected narrowly wide for a corner. From this Bishop took the lead for the second time. Wilkinson came and misjudged the ball in the swirling wind and following a scramble on the line, the ball eventually came to Paul Moss who hammered the ball in from 6 yards.
West nearly gifted Bishop a third straight from the restart - Brian Fairhurst caught on the ball, with the resulting shot thankfully saved. The visitors started to get back on track with 24 minutes remaining - firstly unable to force a shot on goal following a good move from a corner then Ian Maddison blocked a clearance with the ball coming to Paul Freary whose curling shot was held.
After Andrew Harrison blazed over a good opportunity to extend the Bishop lead, Bryan Stewart's low shot was parried out with Freary tackled as he looked to tuck away the rebound.
Bishop should have wrapped it up when sub Darren Richardson beat Alan Wilkinson to the ball but headed over him and wide with the goal gapping. Dale Jardine pulled a shot wide although in truth West were causing few problems and did not looking like a second equaliser as Bishop's midfield commanded the play, working hard to stifle any West attacks from midfield.
The hosts then killed off the game with the last kick - Darren Richardson's cross flicking off a defender and looping into the net.
1. Alan Wilkinson, 2. Brian Fairhurst, 3. Kevin Bromley (Chris Creamer), 4. Scott Nicholson, 5. Michael Heckley, 6. Ian Maddison (Stuart Owen), 7. Danny Richmond, 8. Danny Key, 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Paul Freary, 11. Bryan Stewart
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