AUCKLAND PROVE TOO MUCH FOR BLYTH TO WIN CLEATOR CUP

Newly promoted Bishop Auckland won the Cleator Cup with a 3-2 win over last season’s Dvision Two Champions Blyth Town.

A keenly contested first half got its opening goal when Bishops took the lead on 37 minutes.  After a goalmouth scramble the Blyth keeper saved Holdworth’s first shot but he stooped low to head in the rebound and give them the lead.

However it was short-lived as Blyth Town equalised just 3 minutes later through Adam Johnson with a good shot across the keeper into the corner of the net.

The home side then took the lead only a few minutes later Giles blasted home from inside the box, an advantage they held until the half time interval.

Bishops started the second half very brightly and midway through the half they levelled the game up with a good team goal following some one touch passing in midfield and a pass played through into the box for Louis Johnson to score.

A penalty shoot out loomed, before the winning goal came on 84 minutes when Gell took a shot from outside the box, hitting a Blyth defender on the back and the ball spun high into the air and over the stranded Blyth keeper, before landing in the back of the net.

A cruel way for Blyth to lose the tie, but on a warm July day where the tie had been broken up for much needed drinks breaks both clubs had made it an entertaining affair.

Photographs thanks to Joe Gorman Photography.  You can see more photos from Joe here.