| Bishop's bogey strikes again (03.11.07) |
|
BISHOP'S STORTFORD 2 (1) |
MAIDENHEAD UNITED 1 (0) |
|
A fluke opening goal set Bishop's Stortford up
for victory in a tightly contested game which nevertheless conformed
to the Magpies traditionally sorry form in East Hertfordshire,
today's result leaving them with just one solitary victory in their
eighteen trips to Stortford spanning 42 years. The first half saw Stortford revealing why their away form is far superior to that at home, sitting back and allowing United to attack them whilst try to hit the Magpies on the break. With the twin defensive pillars of Paul Goodacre and Michael Stanbrook just about coping with the two urchin strikers at their feet, the Bishops found a profitable route of attack down the right wing through Tim Langer. He put in several good crosses but the Bishops attack was found wanting, Greg Pearson in particular being guilty of profligacy in front of goal. Maidenhead came closest to breaking the deadlock with ten minutes of the half remaining. An Ashley Smith corner from the right was met by a powerful header from Dwane Lee at the near post. This was cleared off the line only as far as Lee Newman on the edge of the six yard box. After waiting for an age for the ball to come down Newman fired a shot goalward only for the prone keeper Andy Young to block. After the break it was Louis Wells' turn to shine in the United goal with a breathtaking flying save to tip a Jack Midson header over the bar with just two minutes gone. The pivotal movement of the game then arrived in the 50th minute. A Maidenhead attack again saw the ball ping around the area, a Manny Williams effort being cleared off the line by Matt Jones. As the action then swung to the other end Craig Edwards struck a shot from 20 yards which immediately struck a United defender and looped in the opposite direction to that intended leaving Wells to helplessly watch the ball fly into the left side of the goal. Maidenhead pushed hard to equalise but again the Stortford defence held firm, and with more and more men being committed forward it was no surprise when Stortford counter attacked to score the vital second goal with eleven minutes remaining, Midson crossing for Ahmed Deen to score on his debut. A consolation goal came for Maidenhead in the second minute of stoppage time when a Gavin James cross from the right was met by an excellent strike at the far post by Dominic Sterling. |
|
|
Stortford: Young, Jones (81 Champion), Lunan,
Edwards, Goodacre, Stanbrook, Langer, Williamson, Pearson, Midson,
Deen. Unused subs: Fazakerley, Essandoh, Martin, Welch. |