Playing in their alternative purple shirts, with black shorts and new purple socks, it was once again the Bees who made the better start to the game. Robertson and Crowe having early joy down the flanks, with the first two balls into the box being cut out by the goalkeeper, it was third time lucky for the Bees. Robertson's cross was allowed to bounce through to the waiting Crowe who instinctively finished from 4 yards out. One nil to the Bees and things looked to be going well.

Just four minutes later Crowe doubled his tally, a lovely ball forward from Barnes in the centre of midfield, allowed Crowe a shot at goal. Making no mistakes, he calmed rifled the ball into the roof of the net and the Bees had a two goal lead.

Things seemed to be going smoothly for the Bees, who were passing the ball well and enjoying lots of possession. But Bingley weren't about to give up so easily, as a double change on 20 minutes seemed to instantly have the desired impact. The Red and Black shirts piled forward and, with a lovely exchange of passes, earnt themselves a corner. The short corner was initially cleared by Booth and Hardman and the danger seemed to be averted, until the ball was played to Bingley's centre forward who wasn't closed down. He was allowed to get a shot away that looped up and over Richardson in the Bees goal and Bingley ahd a goal back in the 17th minute. 2-1 Bees.

The Bees re-grouped, and were able to push forward and earn a corner of their won. Good work from Hardman and Wilkinson sent Crowe racing down the right, but his efforts were thwarted by the Bingley defense, as his cross went out off the defender for a corner. Robertson came across to the right to take it short to Barnes, who laid the ball back to Roberston in the corner. Taking two paces towards goal, Robertson hit a curling left footed shot over the goalkeeper and into the far top corner. A two goal lead restored, Bees 3 - 1 Bingley, and just 9 minutes left until half time.

The Bees seemed to switch off after scoring their 3rd, and Bingley rallied. As the flow of the game turned, it was Bingley with the possession and running at the Bees back line. With 3 players around him, the Bingley striker managed to weave his way out to the right, before crossing back to the edge of the box for his team mate to fire a ball goalwards. Sykes dealt with the initial shot which fell kindly for the left winger to place over the stranded Richardson and into the back of the net. Bees 3- 2 Bingley.

Three minutes later Bingley scored again, the Bees caught out while trying to play the ball out from the back. Bingley closed the play down well and found themsleves in on goal. As Booth tried to make the tackle, the ball skidded past the oncoming Richardson and Bingley drew themselves level going into half time.

In the second half, the Bees started brightly again. Wilkinson and Barnes linking up well in midfield and Booth stepping out from the back to cut out a Bingley attempted through ball, but they didnt have to wait long to get their noses back in front. 8 minutes into the half, a ball out wide from the middle of the park by Barnes, allowed Crowe to beat his man and deliver an early ball into the box. Bance was there to take his shot first time, but a great save from the goalkeeper was only parried back into Bance's path, and at the second time of asking Bance tapped the ball in for his 5th of the season. 4-3 Bees.

Bingley however had no intentions of letting the hosts get away again and came out from the kick off with a purpose. Tired legs weren't helping the Bees and it wasn't long before reinforcements were called for, with Ali coming on for Robertson, down the left wing and Hoyle replacing Crowe on the right. 2 minutes later, the Bees were forced into another substitution with Sykes taking a ball to the face from Booth's clearance, and back on came Robertson at left back.

The Bees hadn't settled and Bingley made them pay, a short ball from midfield to the lone striker wasn't challenged and the Bingley man made no mistake as he slotted into the bottom corner beyond a helpless Richardson.

At 4-4 the Bees were urged on by the crowd with the game was stretching. Another injury, this time to Wilkinson, forced the Bees into another change. Back on came Crowe on the right, pushing Hoyle inside to partner Barnes, and McKenzie came on to replace goal scorer Bance.

The game remained finely poised for the final minutes, with both sides passing well and creating openings. The back line of Hardman, Booth and Robertson holding firm and ensuring no shooting oportunities for the visitors, until the 55th minute...

A corner from the right was taken quickly, and the Bees failed to react. The cross came in and, unmarked inside the area, was the Bingley centre forward who made a clean contact to send the ball into the left hand side netting, with Richardson unable to react in time to keep it out.

The Bees fought hard for the remaining 5 minutes, winning a corner at the death, but it proved to be to no avail, as Bingley had 9 men behind the ball and closed the game out. The Bees were made to suffer their first defeat of the season, but can take great pride in their performance.