Emley head back up the A1 on Saturday when the league action returns following 2 cup ties when we face Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park in the Northern Premier League Div 1 East (3pm).

It will be a rekindling of a fixture that was a mainstay during Emley's last stint in the NPL in the 90's and early 00's before the move to Wakefield and splitting of the club, the last competitive meeting was in 2005 shortly before Emley returned to the village and then playing as 'Wakefield-Emley'.

Those games would have been played at Kingsway, Bishop's old ground which they left in 2001, after playing around shared grounds, they moved into Heritage Park in 2010.

Bishop Auckland FC were formed in 1886 as Auckland Town and were founding members of the Northern League, the world's second oldest league, playing in the Oxbridge colours of dark and light blue.

They have a rich history in amateur football, winning the FA Amateur cup on 10 occasions as well as the Northern League numerous times, they, like Emley, returned to the NPL after winning their league last season.

Emley head into the fixture as early pace setters leading the division by 1 point from Belper with 5 wins and 1 defeat in our 6 games so far, and with only defeats all season, both in FA cup competitions and following Tuesday's 3-0 win over Dinnington Town in the county cup.
The Bishops meanwhile sit in 19th spot with 1 win, 2 draws and 5 defeats from their 8 games and are also out of both FA Competitions.

Last time out:
Emley 3-0 Dinnington Town (Mintus, Metcalfe, Malumo) Att- 205, SHSC 1
Grimsby Boro 2-1 Bishop Auckland ( Giraud) Att- 193, NPL D1 E.

HEAD TO HEAD

Previous meetings: (as Emley F.C)
last 5
7th November 2001, NPL P
BIS 1-0 EML

1st September 2001, NPL P
EML 0-1 BIS

6th March 2001, NPL P
EML 3-1 BIS (W.Nazha, A.Wilson, D.Day, Att- 304

6th September 2000, NPL P
BIS 1-3 EML (S.Bambrook 2, OG) Att- 202

26th April 2000, NPL P
EML 2-0 BIS (P.David, D.Day) Att- 181

CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
EML: 1/22
BIS: 19/22
(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM:
EML: W, W, W, L ,W
BIS: W, L, L, D, W
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 22
BIS: 18
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 7
BIS: 25
TOP SCORER:
EML: Amir Berchil (6)
BIS: Louis Johnson (5)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML: 379 (477 league)
BIS: 448 ( 440 league)

MATCHDAY INFORMATION
WHEN? Saturday 28th September 3.00pm

WHERE?
Vest Construction Stadium
Heritage Park, Stadium Way, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, DL14 9AE.

HOW DO WE GET THERE?
M62/M1/A1/A1(M), exit A1(M) at J58 (A68) continue on A68 towards West Auckland and at Roundabout, turn right, A688 s/p Bishop Auckland, continue over roundabout then left into car park/ground.

Parking and public transport details:
https://bishopafc.com/visiting-fans/

OWW MUCH?
Adult £10
Concession Over 65s £9
Juniors Under 16s £5
Children under 5 are free, accompanied by paying adult

Programme: £2.00
Half Time 50/50 Raffle: £1
Golden Goal: 50p