SHILDON v BISHOP ACKLAND

Northern League Division 1

A cold, bright Boxing Day morning tempts me out for a Northern League derby between neighbours Shildon and Bishop Auckland. It’s tempted out a few others too as there is an unfamiliar queue to get through the turnstiles, which means the game is a minute or two old by the time I get in.

Shildon are already pressing and have a free kick and a corner at the turnstile end before I even decide where to watch from. On a day like this the choice is to stand in the sun, relatively warm but blinded, or huddle in the shade, cold but able to see the action. I choose the latter and head for my normal pitch-side berth.

Shildon have the benefit of a strong breeze in this half and dominate the game for the first fifteen minutes, already hitting the bar before a Lewis Wing shot is deflected narrowly wide. From that corner the ball somehow finds a way through the crowded six yard box to find Danny Parker at the far post who stoops to head the ball into the net.

With Bishop Auckland finding the wind problematic to their preferred attacking style of hitting the big man Ian Ward up front, it is Shildon who continue to play the football and on thirty-five minutes Wing tees up another shot from the edge of the box. This too is deflected, but only slightly, and the touch serves merely to take the ball further away from the keeper and into the top corner of the goal.

It could be a two-goal wind in Shildon’s favour, but just before half time centre forward Amar Purewal receives the ball on half way with his back to goal. He holds it then swivels and plays it forward for Wing to run onto, in the clear and composed enough to slip the ball past the advancing keeper and into the net. The three goal lead is deserved but not necessarily conclusive in the conditions.

The second half is more even. With the wind at their backs Bishop Auckland can get the ball further up the pitch, and though there is little end product it means that Shildon now start their moves deeper in their own half, and threaten less.

In fact Bishop have a good spell with about a quarter of the game left. A run of three corners, in quick succession, give hope and eventually a loose ball in the Shildon box falls to the feet of goal poacher Andrew Johnson. He does what he does best and slots home to cut the deficit.

Minutes later another Bishop corner creates a scramble in the six yard box with the ball being hooked clear from somewhere on, or even beyond, the goal line. Strong Bishop claims for a goal are waived away by the ref; the only goal line technology available is the linesman’s eyesight, and he’s saying nothing.

Shildon take the scare on board and reassert control. With time almost up Wing beats an offside trap to run through again; maybe this time the potential hat trick is on his mind, as he is hesitant and the retreating defenders are able to crowd him out.

The missed opportunity matters not as time is soon up and another win for Shildon maintains their top four position as well as maintaining momentum ahead of their upcoming FA fourth round Vase tie.