BSFC 0-1 Enfield Town

Bishop’s Stortford 0-1 Enfield Town Match Report 10/3/20

Bishop’s Stortford’s poor run of results continued on Tuesday night as Enfield Town inflicted their third defeat over the Blues this season. Town won 5-0 in the reverse fixture in August, before winning in extra-time of an FA Trophy replay in October. Shaun Okojie’s first half goal was the difference, before Aaron Greene struck the crossbar from the penalty spot. The Blues travel to East Thurrock United on Saturday – where they last won a match back in December in the Velocity Trophy.

Ryan Blackman had the first chance of the match, clearing the stand behind the goal at the town end with a speculative long range shot, before Sam Youngs saw his effort from the edge of the box blocked. Jack Thomas – making his return after suspension – made a strong run down the left, but Greene’s first touch was poor and Nathan McDonald claimed the loose ball. Marc Weatherstone ran the length of the pitch from central defence, seemingly unchallenged before his through ball was misplaced and the Blues could clear. Johnville Renee had the best chance to open the scoring for the Blues, he was put through on goal with a through ball from Craig Calver, and his low shot cannons off the right post with McDonald beaten, before Greene’s turn and shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Lyle Della-Verde’s free kick was an easy take for Burbidge but from the next attack, Muleba’s low cross from the right found Okojie in the middle, who slid home from close range. Ryan Henshaw’s header from Sam Robbins’ free kick threatened an instant equaliser, but it was cleared off the line, before Muleba fouled Calver in the box for a certain penalty. Greene stepped up to take it and  smashed the crossbar in the top left corner with McDonald diving the opposite way. James Baker’s headed attempt in front of the open goal went high, before Greene’s header from Henshaw’s deep cross went wide. A strong case for another Blues penalty followed as Greene was seemingly pulled down in the box by a defender with both chasing a long ball. Blackman was denied the chance to shoot from close range after being dispossessed in the box, but Burbidge couldn’t keep the loose ball in play.

Half time 0-1

Josh Urquhart wrestled Calver to the ground but referee Thomas Hancock waved away penalty claims, with Calver looking to turn and shoot from Chris Gregan’s long throw. Della-Verde’s shot went well high of the target from a cut back, before Fred Burbidge was on hand to save a powerful shot from a tight angle, and Henshaw was able to clear. Billy Bricknell cut in from the left and fired a low shot, winning a corner with a deflection off Thomas. Burbidge made another fine save from a Della-Verde shot and Okojie – who played for Corinthian Causals in their 1-2 win at the ProKit in November – fired straight at the keeper after bringing down a long ball well. Substitute Shomari Barnwell shook off the challenge of Featherstone and crossed from the right, but Greene couldn’t make space in the middle for a shot before he was crowded out. Blues were really piling on the pressure, with Thomas making a powerful run down the right but his cut back from the touch-line couldn’t pick out a team-mate. Bricknell grazed the outside of the net with a low shot, before Henshaw had a headed effort saved at the other end. Burbidge produced his best save of the match to deny a strike that was heading for the top corner, one-handed he tipped it over the bar to preserve the visitors’ narrow advantage. Ken Charles – who scored twice in the reverse fixture – came off the bench and should have converted, with Burbidge misreading the flight of the ball, he found himself with an open goal but couldn’t find the net. After a Blues corner, Enfield looked like they would finally double their lead with a four on two counter attack, but Okojie’s shot was straight at Burbidge. The last chance of the match fell to Baker for an equaliser, but his bicycle kick attempt was put behind for a corner, but Enfield held on and maintained the clean sheet to end a solid defensive performance.

Full time 0-1

TEAMS

Bishop’s Stortford XI

1: Fred Burbidge

3: Chris Gregan

4: Jack Thomas

5: Sam Robbins

6: Ryan Henshaw © (Yellow card 66’) (Shabani 78’)

7: Johnville Renee

10: Craig Calver (Yellow card 44’)

11: Aaron Greene

16: Ross Debrick (Yellow card 23’) (Barnwell 46’)

17: Mark Haines

20: James Baker

Subs

8: Alex Warman

9: Shomari Barnwell

15: Brendon Shabani

18: Bradley McClenaghan

19: Louie Johnson

Enfield Town XI

1: Nathan McDonald

2: Jonathan Muleba

3: Josh Urquhart

4: Scott Thomas

5: Marc Weatherstone ©

6: Glenn Wilson

7: Ryan Blackman

8: Sam Youngs (Payne 90+2’)

9: Billy Bricknell (Charles 85’)

10: Shaun Okojie (Goal 24’)

11: Lyle Della-Verde (Mubiayi 84’)

Subs

12: Junior Mubiayi

14: Joe Payne

15: Sam Hatton

16: Ken Charles,

17: Bobson Bawling

Attendance 206

By Hamish Arnold