The Hornets picked up their first win of pre-season on Tuesday night, dispatching Bishop Auckland with ease by two goals to nil, courtesy of an own goal and an Olly Martin strike.

A total of five changes were made from Saturday’s thrashing at Garforth Town as Kieran Hunter, Jack Donaghy, Liam Noble, Liam Murray and Dean Briggs returned from the start, Amar Purewal was unavailable for this one.

It was a fast start for the hosts, signalling their intent to heal the woes of the weekend. Without any chances of major note within the first ten minutes, the Hornets were adamant in keeping possession, trying to find a way to unlock the stubborn Bishop defence.

Hebburn’s first attempt on goal came in the fifteenth minute as Aidan Heywood made a driving run from full-back into midfield and let fly from twenty-five yards, but the trialist in the Bishop net held with comfort.

A chance for the visitors then arose in the twentieth minute as a cross to the back post was met by Matty Tymon, but the winger headed over the crossbar from close range.

Hebburn were then inches away from taking the lead. Joe Posthill’s delivery into the box found the head of Murray, who could only direct his header wide of the post.

The Hornets' best opportunity of the game so far. Minutes later, a last-ditch block from Donaghy prevented JJ Bartliff from opening the scoring for the visitors.

The first goal of the game eventually came in the thirty-fourth minute! Heywood fired a low cross into an inviting area for a teammate to latch onto, but ultimately, it was the Bishop defender who diverted the ball into his own net.

Immediately after scoring, the home side were on the front foot again. Tom Devitt’s floated pass found the feet of Martin, who burst past the defender, played the ball to Posthill, but his shot was well kept out by the
goalkeeper and forced a corner. The resulting corner from Noble found Donaghy, but play was stopped as the referee blew for a foul.

Moments before half-time, Posthill found himself in a good position on the left, he then cut inside onto his right foot but unfortunately fired over, causing no trouble to the Bishop ‘keeper. The referee then blew his whistle to call a halt to the first half.

No changes were made at the interval, but Moore opted for a first change seven minutes into the second half as Joe Walton replaced Briggs.

In the fifty-fifth minute, the Hornets were awarded a free kick as Martin was fouled just outside the box. Noble stepped up and fired a low effort around the wall, just missing the far post in the process. So close to doubling his side’s advantage.

As the clock was ticking and the score only one, The Two Blues began to impose a threat on the counter midway through the second
half. They were awarded a free kick just outside the Hornets' area. It was taken short to Louis Johnson, but the forward lashed his effort over and out for a goal kick. More changes then arrived for Hebburn as Devitt and Turner were replaced by two trialists.

A warning sign for the hosts came in the sixty-eighth minute as Johnson was sent through on goal, but Hunter saved with his feet and held onto the rebound.

Heywood then found himself in acres of space on the left and played an inch-perfect pass into Posthill, who took on two defenders before unleashing a strike that sailed high and wide.

A chance for the Hornets to put the game to bed went begging once again. Moore decided to add fresh legs to his midfield as Noble made way for Arron Thompson with fifteen minutes to go.

Bishop continued to fight to try and pull back a late goal. Johnson won a corner for his side and the resulting set-piece was whipped into a crowded penalty area; the attacker rose first but could only head wide of the far post. The visitors' best opening of the second half.

Hebburn were finally able to wrap the game up in the eighty-eighth minute when Martin was found by a trialist, and he made no mistake in finding the bottom corner for his second goal in as many games. Relief for the Hornets as they secured their first win of pre-season after a run of four defeats.

Next up, Hebburn Town play host to Heaton Stannington on Friday night for another pre-season test, in preparation for their Premier Division debut in the Northern Premier League at home to Warrington Rylands on August 10th.

By Dan Carlton