Bishop Auckland (Home): Northern League Division 1: Saturday 22nd October 2011

Result: Marske United 2 Bishop Auckland 2     Scorers: Charlton, Thompson

Marske were forced to make numerous changes to their side with injuries to Anthony Ormerod and Steve Cochrane, and Michael Wilson, Adam Wheatley and Glenn Wesson all unavailable.  Andy Raw adopted an unaccustomed left back position, while Mark Taylor also returned to the defence and Derek Bradley and Karl Charlton both returned to midfield.  Bishop Auckland included the leagues leading scorer Andy Johnson in their starting line-up.

Danny Brunskill was first to show on nine minutes with a trademark turn and shot on his left foot from the corner of the penalty area that was well held by keeper Peter Jeffries.

On 15 minutes Brunskill was again causing problems when he beat Jeffries to a ball over the top and laid it back to Chris McGill on the edge of the box who chipped the ball over the defenders onto the crossbar.  The ball rebounded out to Karl Charlton who should have done better, but blasted a first time effort wide from 10 yards out.

On 22 minutes Bradley produced an excellent touch to keep the ball in on the right touchline and deliver into the box.  Adam Gell met the ball but scuffed his shot towards goal, yet Jeffries still had to save well low down to his right.

Five minutes later Bishops created their first chance when they broke away from a Marske corner.  Darren Atkinson got onto the end of a deep cross into the box from the right wing but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Despite Marske’s dominance, they were hit with a sucker punch shortly before half-time.  Jonathan Burton lost possession in the middle of the park and with Raw out of position, Darren Richardson had time and space to pick his shot from just outside the penalty area.

Half-time:  Marske United 0 v 1 Bishop Auckland

Marske continued to press after the break and eventually drew level just after the hour mark.  Brunskill won the ball from Atkinson just inside the visitors’ half and picked out Charlton with a delightful crossfield ball.  Expecting a cross to be delivered, the Bishops keeper was left flat footed when Charlton chose to shoot from the left side of the 18-yard box, drilling a shot in just under the crossbar.

Bishops were now on the back foot but nearly added a second goal on 70 minutes when Richardson lashed an excellent volley back at goal from Lee Donachie’s header out.  His effort though was equally matched by an excellent full length save by Graeme Willey.

Benn Thompson and Rob Jones were both brought on for the final 20 minutes of the game as Marske went in search of a winner, and they looked to have grabbed one in the 90^th minute when a deep corner from Charlton was headed in at the back post by Thompson.

But Marske were made to settle for just a point when the visitors drew back level deep into stoppage time.  Neither Donachie or Carling attacked a ball into the box, leaving it to fall to danger man Richardson who turned a sent a low shot just inside Willey’s near post.

Full-time:  Marske United 2 v 2 Bishop Auckland

Again, this really was a game we should have won - to take the lead so late in the game and to concede soon after was terribly disappointing, but overall there were plenty of positives to take from the game.  We looked much more balanced with Charlo and Dekka both playing wide with Gelly in centre midfield where he’s arguably much more better suited.  And Mark Taylor’s return sured up the defence as Danny Hawkins and Johnson were kept quiet all game.

Teams:

Marske United:  Willey, Donachie, A.Raw (Roberts), J.Burton, Carling, Taylor, Bradley (Jones), Gell, Brunskill, McGill (Thompson), Charlton.  Not Used:  P.Burton.

Bishop Auckland:  Jeffries, Salvin, Clarke, Brown, McLane (Brumwell), Richardson, Strong (Bell), Turnbull, Hawkins, Johnson, Atkinson. 

Not Used:  Bishop, West.
 

Match Sponsors M/O/M:  Andy Raw