Northern
League Division 1
An ill judged holiday booking led to this
late start for the new season. And at Bishop Auckland I have already missed one
manager’s term of office. Having shipped fifteen goals in the first three games
(scoring eight) an interim management team is in place pending recruitment, and
they will hope to at least stabilise the ship.
Heritage Park is looking good, the
Darlington seating behind one goal remains in place despite their tenants
moving out, but there is one change – the dug outs have switched touchlines to
a more natural place in front of the grandstand, either side of the layers
tunnel. And tonight’s dug out is graced by an England international, albeit at
cricket, with big Steve Harmison still in charge at Ashington, and the team
sheet includes his two brothers, equally big, Ben up front and James at the
back.
The first half is competitive with both
teams playing a controlled game without penetrating over much. Bishop’s only threat
comes from full back Michael Hoganson’s wind assisted free kicks, three of them
hit the target but keeper Connor Grant beats each of them out. For Ashington,
Ben Harmison ploughs a lone and mainly fruitless farrow but an error by Luke
Gilhespy gives him one chance which he fluffs embarrassingly.
The pattern of the first half continues
after the break. Now Ashington has the breeze behind and it is Kyle Downey’s free
kick from well out that needs saving. As time presses the game loosens up, and
a Bishop Auckland free kick into the box ping-pongs around before being cleared
off the line.
Then, in the ninetieth minute, the home side
over-commit and are caught out by a break down the Ashington left. The three to
one advantage is well worked and delivers the ball to Ben Harmison in front of
an open goal, and this time there is no mistake and the tap in is enough to win
the game.
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