Bishop Auckland stay top spot in Northern League One as Andrew May provides fans with thumping 25-yard strike

Bishop FC 3-0 Seaham Red Star 12/12/23

Andrew May scored the pick of three memorable goals as Bishop Auckland went four points clear at the top of the Northern League Division One with a victory over Seaham Red Star.

Bishops were able to open the scoring in the 25th minute through Marcus Giles deflected shot past Red Star keeper Andrew Jennison.

It then only took five minutes into the second half before Bishops doubled their lead through a superb long-range effort. 

Dean Thexton then kept his composure and placed the ball into the back of the Red Star net giving the two-blues a comfortable lead with 58 minutes played. 

Bishop went into Tuesday night’s fixture top of the Northern League against a struggling 18th-placed Red Star, looking to make amends following their 4-1 defeat against Newton Aycliffe two weeks prior.

The game started with an early chance, as Thexton knocked the ball on from a dangerous corner but Jennison parried the clear-cut opportunity and the ball was cleared by Bryan Taylor.

Red Star then seemed to have a chance as Taylor cleared the ball up to Ryan Gooch who was then taken out by Danni Lay with a pivotal last ditch tactical foul 25 minutes played. 

Giles put Bishop ahead as he was set up just outside the box by some magic from Louis Johnson and saw his shot deflected into the goal in the 26th minute.

A lapse in concentration and great pressing from the away side allowed Shabs Mohammed to Strike 20 yards from goal, but his shot flew just over the bar. 

Shortly afterward Red Star’s Adam Burnicle forced Ryan Catterick to make a save at the near post at the half-hour mark. 

Shaaban Mohammed played a quick one-two with Dane Burlace making space for a whipped ball into the box, May headed wide of the post.

Just before the half-time break John Howard curled a sweet left footed free kick to Jennisons right forcing him to make a vital save.

A poor tackle within the first few minutes of the second-half was committed by Howard on Thomas Lawson, thankfully Lawson got up uninjured. 

Five minutes into the second half May scored a superb right footed strike doubling Bishop’s lead. The crowd erupted and even Red Star defender Jordan Patterson applauded Howard’s attempt. 

Thexton then scored after a superb assist by Dane Burlace. The defender strode through keeping the ball close to his feet before releasing a perfectly timed cross to Thexton who put the ball in the back of the net with a right-footed finish in the 58th minute. 

Three minutes after the superb Howard strike, Burnicle again forced Catterick to save after a right footed half-volley by the centre-forward. 

After 68 minutes into the second half Louis Johnson struck the ball from very long distance however without venom and power making the save very comfortable for Jennison.