AJ fires Bishops into next round of the FA Cup

Bishops defeated a second successive EvoStik League side in Trafford, thanks to “AJ”'s 14th goal of the season, and put them into the next round for the first time in 17 years.

Bishops manager Steve Riley is now hoping for another home draw, and said; “It was a fantastic effort from the lads. In the first half we played some good football and caused Trafford problems. We deserved to take the lead through AJ’s clinical finish. In the second half Trafford put us under a lot of pressure but we stood firm as a team defended excellent. Ed pulled off some good saves and Scott Martindale was outstanding.

“Every one of the players put in a performance and we’re happy to be in the next round for the first time in 17 years. We would love a home draw on Monday again.

AJ is worth his weight in gold, he’s a matchwinner.”

Johnson struck after 11 minutes, when his first shot from a Michael Hoganson pass was blocked, but he followed up to score with a shot into the corner of the net.

But Trafford were a better outfit than Ossett Albion whom Bishops beat in the last round, and they caused the home side some concerns, and Bishops keeper Ed Wilczynski pulled off two good saves.

Stuart Thompson nearly made it 2-0 for Bishops but was just off target, but Bishops held on after that to also clinch the £4,500 prize money.

Northern League Morpeth pulled off one of the shocks of the round, beating EvoStik Blyth Spartans 4-2 in their local derby.

Blyth were hit by a three goal burst in the first 15 minutes. Former Blyth player Damon Mullen set up Michael Chilton to beat Blyth keeper Adam McHugh, then two minutes later he fired the second. Ben Sayer set up Luke Carr to curl the ball into the top corner for the third after 16 minutes.

Blyth launched a comeback after half time. Dan Maguire pulled a goal back from a Steven Turnbull cross, then Jordan Fry put through his own goal. But Morpeth held on, and Liam Henderson cracked in the fourth to put them into the next round for the first time since 1999.

Morpeth manager Nick Gray said; “I’m delighted for everyone at the club and the players. Over the 90 minutes we deserved it.”

Consett had an excellent away result, drawing 1-1 at Curzon Ashton from the National League North, three leagues above them.

Consett keeper Chris Elliott pulled off a good early save from Curzon’s Ryan Hall, but he had no chance when Matthew Flynn headed in from a Connor Hampson free kick.

Consett kept battling away and caused some anxious moments before they equalised in stoppage time, when Michael Sweet headed in a free kick.

Manager Mark Eccles said; “We gave them too much respect in the first half and conceded from a setpiece which was disappointing. But we came out and gave everything in the second half. As we pushed forward we gave them a few opportunities but Chris Elliott was first class. I have never been so proud of the lads and they totally deserved it.”

The replay is on Tuesday night at Belle View Shildon, though, were beaten 3-1 at Workington, where a missed penalty was a turning point.

Both sides missed chances before Workington took the lead when Scott Allison scored from a James Earl pass, but then David Ferguson missed a penalty for Shildon, Workington keeper Aaran Taylor saving. Bobby Moore also headed against the bar.

Conor Tinnion made it 2-0 on 48 minutes with a header from a Jake Simpson cross, and Joe McGee made it 3-0 with a powerful shot.

Shildon pulled a goal back with a successful spot kick, taken by Billy Greulich-Smith, but there was only four minutes remaining.

Shildon manager Gary Forrest said; “It was an even first half and the penalty miss was a game-changer. We conceded two poor goals early in the second half that we never recovered from.”

Dunston UTS were beaten 2-0 at home by National League North club Chorley, for whom Andy Teague and Scott Leather scored in the first half.

Dunston manager Billy Irwin said; “I couldn’t fault the players against a quality team, they gave all they had.”