BISHOP FM MATCH REPORTERS – Paul Campbell, Alan King and George Campbell
FULL TIME – Bishop Auckland FC 1 Middlesbrough FC 2
After eight years of waiting Bishop Auckland FC have played their first game at the new Heritage Park Stadium on Tuesday evening. The atmosphere was expectant as an estimated 1,300 fans waited in the rain to see their team walk out onto the new pitch and play for the first time at the club’s own ground.
The conditions on the night were terrible. It had rained all day and the pitch was waterlogged. During the game itself the rain came driving down in the first half, but none of this deterred the Bishop fans who turned out in their numbers to support their club.
The game itself started very lively and end to end. Bishop looked to take control after the opening exchanges with five good chances. However, against the run of play Middlesbrough were awarded a penalty after 33 minutes, which they coverted into a goal. Bishop came back again and were rewarded for their possession with a goal on 40 minutes. A corner swung into the near post and Bishop’s number 7 Chris Bell put the ball in the back of the net.
The second half saw Middlesbrough make a raft of changes and started to cause the Bishop defence more trouble. After some pressure, Middlesbrough scored their second on 51 minutes. A goalmouth scramble was turned in by Middlesbrough substitute, Jarrett Rivers. The game looked to be slowing down with water on the pitch causing both sides problems. Bishop Manager, Colin Myers then made four substitutes on 65 minutes, and another later in the game and the “fresh legs” started to have an impact in the game. The game opened up more and Bishop were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes, only to see the Boro goalkeeper save the spotkick.
The game ended with Middlesbrough winning 2 – 1, but despite the result and the weather, Bishop fans, players and staff were happy just to be in their own stadium. The hospitalilty at the Heritage Park was gratefully received, and everyone is looking forward to playing the first competitive match against Consett on Saturday 13 November 2010.
Bishop FM Sports presenter Paul Campbell speaking to manager Colin Myers after the game
[audio:http://www.bishopfm.com/wp-content/uploads/BAFC_Colin_Myers_Interview.mp3|titles=Bishop FM sports presenter Paul Campbell speaking to Manager Colin Myers]Bishop FM Sports presenter Alan King speaking to Chairman Terry Jackson
[audio:http://www.bishopfm.com/wp-content/uploads/BAFC_Terry_Jackson_Interview.mp3|titles=Alan King speaking to Terry Jackson]Alan King speaking to Commercial Manager Kym Fryer
[audio:http://www.bishopfm.com/wp-content/uploads/BAFC_Kim_Fryer_Interview.mp3|titles=Alan King speaking to Commercial Manager Kim Fryer]Next Home Match is against Consett on Saturday 13 November 2010. Tickets are on sale now from the clubs official website www.bishopafc.com. Adults £5.00 / Concessions £2.50
Bishop Auckland FC Team Sheet:
1 – Peter Jeffries
2 – Chris Lawson
3 – Darren Atkinson
4 – Wayne Clarke
5 – Graham Irvine
6 – Steven Turnbull
7 – Chris Bell (sponsors Man of the Match)
8 – Steven Salvin (c)
9 – Arron Wearmouth
10 – Daniel Hawkins
11 – Darren Richardson
Subs –
12 – Adam Emson
13 – Ryan Graham
14 – Simon Ord
15 – Lewis Brown
16 – Kieron Day
17 – Steven West
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Middlesbrough FC Team Sheet:
1 – Connor Ripley
2 – Phil Shead
3 – Patrick Otter (sponsors Man of the Match)
4 – Kyle Oliver
5 – Lewis Sirrell
6 – Matthew Waters
7 – Ryan Brobbell
8 – Connor Sellers
9 – Oui Roushias
10 – Kieran Edwards
11 – Marinos Andreou
Subs –
12 – Michael Roberts
14 – Adam Jackson
15 – David Atkinson
16 – Lewis Galpin
17 – Wilson Kneeshaw
18 – Curtis Edwards
19 – Charlie Wyke
20 – Jarrett Rivers
21 – Luke Coddington (GK)