The Northern League celebrated its 125th anniversary in style against an FA XI at Bishop Auckland last night, and the first goal of the game was befitting of a commemoration.

The tempo of the game was faster and more competitive than a friendly, and some players, such as Whitby’s Lee Mason, will have improved their chances of more recognition under FA and England C manager Paul Fairclough.

The FA nearly took the lead after 20 minutes when Mason picked up a loose ball on the right, made his way into the box and curled a shot towards the top corner that Andy Grainger saved well, and he went close again from a similar move, and all Grainger could do this time was beat the ball away.

At the other end, Spennymoor’s Keith Graydon fired a free kick just wide from 30 yards out. It was Graydon’s team mate, Steve Capper, who opened the scoring with an excellent goal on 61 minutes, when he picked up the ball in the inside left position just inside the area, and hit a low left foot shot across keeper Shane Bland into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Seven minutes later, the improving ENL side scored a second, when the FA defence failed to clear a left wing corner by Graydon, and Ashington’s Andrew Johnson who forced the ball over the line at the second attempt.

The FA nearly pulled one back, but Ryan Hutchinson’s header was well tipped over the bar by Luke Connell.

Teams; EBAC Northern League: Grainger (sub Connell), Griffiths, Madden (sub Cattanach 70), Dodds, Craddock, Capper, Hudson (sub Sullivan 45), Gibson, Chow (sub Taylor 55), Graydon, Johnson.

FA XI; Grant (sub Bland 45), Storey (sub Gardner 45), Lancaster, Buddell, Parker, Horner (sub Hutchinson 45), Henry (sub Wearmouth 45), Portas, Maguire (sub Chippendale 45), Wade, Mason.