Tuesday 2nd September 2003

Unibond Division 1

Bridlington Town 2 (1)(Farley 19, Palmer 71)

Bishop Auckland 0 (0)()

Referee: J.Smith – Hull

Att: 311

The Queensgate fans were treated to an action packed and pacey game that was a tremendous advert for Unibond Football. Bridlington inflicted the first defeat of the season on the league leaders.

With just five minutes on the watch Danny Drayton was felled 25 yards out of the visitors area. A corner resulted from the kick but Bishops cleared their lines. Bishops attacked with a deep free kick that was flicked on. Neil Maddison turned in the box to shoot but Gavin Kelly got down to save well and the home side cleared up field. As the visitors pressed again Town conceded a free kick near the right corner but the Bishops failed to get anything. On the quarter hour a long clearance from Kelly found Farley and he and Paul Palmer won a corner. The initial kick was partially cleared but Dave Ingram lifted the ball to the back post where the unmarked Lee Harper uncharacteristically headed over. Ingram and Palmer then combined down the right, Drayton linked and Palmer charged in but fired just wide. The home side then worked from a throw down the right. A flick on found Paul Farley and he cut into the box to slot home under Adrian Swan to give Bridlington the lead on 19 mins. The visitors lifted their game to attack but Kelly held well from a corner. Bishops were then awarded a free kick centrally 25 yards out. Nicky Scaife curled the ball well wide. The home side regained possession and caused unrest in the Bishops defence before before Mark Foster went through Drayton to earn a booking. More home pressure ensued buand almost gained reward as the half hour approached. A mix up in Bishops defence was intercepted by Drayton but his shot rebounded off the post and Swan got back to gather. A quick move from Bishops saw Steve Robinson concede a foul 30 yards out. Stuart Irvine struck the ball but the wall deflected for a corner. Thompson cleared and Kelly comfortably held the cross back in. Two consecutive corners from Bishops on 40 mins were both cleared but Bishops regained possession halfway. A deep ball into the Town box saw two efforts headed clear before a brief respite. Bishops attacked again, this time down the right but again the home side cleared. Chandler then crossed in from the right and an acrobatic volley from Irvine was blazed over. Bridlington attacked and Palmer fought his way into the box, twisted and turned to shoot across the goal but was just wide. HT 1 – 0

After early pressure from the home side Scaife battled through strongly in midfield to feed his winger. Kelly held the cross with ease. A deep ball from the Bishops defence forced Robinson to concede a corner but Town cleared and attacked through Drayton. His cross was just marginally in front of Palmer and Bishops had possession. Great work by Palmer on the left found Drayton in the box. His effort was blocked and Ingram had to rush his shot under pressure and fired wide on 59 mins. Further home pressure produced a corner but Swan gathered. Palmer and Drayton combined and Draytons shot was deflected for a corner on 67 mins. Bishops cleared and charged forwards but Town defended to return the attack. Bishops attacked down the right through Moore who was fouled. Town cleared and the ball back in saw the Bishops attack offside. Kelly hit a long ball, Palmer raced on. Swan came out but couldn’t clear and Palmer knocked the ball goal ward and chased in with Swan to make sure the ball crossed the line to make it 2 – 0 on 71 mins. A vicious looking challenge on Harper by Manson saw Manson escape with just a talking to by the referee whilst Harper received treatment. Harper was replaced by Taylor inside the last quarter hour. Moore, for the visitors went on a pentrating run but Bridlington got possession and attacked with Drayton. Bishops attacked and Rowe fired a crisp shot but Kelly saved well. In the 81st mins Palmer was scythed down by Bishops Shaun Hope and received a booking. A great flick on header by Palmer found Drayton and his shot forced Swan to stretch the save on 85 mins. Bishops pressed in search of a goal and Robinson again conceded a throw. Into 5 mins of stoppage time and Bishops looked to attack again but Town defended resolutely and record the victory

Match Ball Sponsor: Edelwiess Guest House, Windsor Crescent, Bridlington

Bridlington Town: 1.Gavin Kelly, 2.Andy Thompson, 3.Steve Robinson, 4.Shaun Baker, 5.Lee Harper ©, 6.Steve Heath, 7.Dave Ingram, 8.Martin Thacker, 9.Paul Palmer, 10.Danny Drayton, 11.Paul Farley, 12.Phil Harrison, 14.Stuart Baldwin, 15.Andy Taylor

Bishop Auckland: 1.Adrian Swan, 2.Brian Rowe, 3.Mark Foster, 4.Stephen Salvin, 5.Stephen West, 6.Shaun Hope, 7.Mark Batey, 8.Neil Madison, 9.Ian Chandler, 10.Nicky Scaife, 11.Stuart Irvine, 12.Chris Moore, 14.Stephen Manson, 15.Michael Taylor.