Bishop’s Stortford remain in relegation battle after losing 2-0 to Kettering Town in Southern League Premier Central
Bishop’s Stortford suffered a 2-0 home defeat against title-chasing Kettering Town on Saturday (April 12) to remain in the relegation mire with three games remaining.
The Blues are 16th, one point better off than the three teams immediately below them - AFC Sudbury, Redditch United and Barwell, with the latter occupying the one final relegation spot - in Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central.
Results at the weekend meant Lowestoft Town and Hitchin Town were mathematically condemned to the drop, with bottom side Biggleswade Town’s fate having been sealed a couple of weeks ago.
Stortford now face a crunch Easter weekend as they head to St Ives Town, who are one place above them on goal difference, on Saturday (April 19) before hosting Sudbury on Easter Monday (April 21).
They then face a potentially crucial last-day fixture at 14th-placed Bromsgrove Sporting, who are also still in the relegation equation with just one more point than the Blues and St Ives, on Saturday April 26.
Ryan Charles had the Blues’ first effort against second-placed Kettering and saw it saved by Daniel Jezeph before both Alex Gudger and Nile Ranger headed off target for the Poppies.
Stortford goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi kept out Gudger’s next headed attempt while, at the other end, Rashawn Scott dribbled his way to the box before shooting straight at Jezeph.
Jamaer Loza had a couple of efforts for the visitors before drawing a good save from Krasniqi after he had dribbled away from Jake Thompson.
The Blues had the last chance of the first half when Scott’s shot deflected into the path of Nahum Melvin-Lambert, but his shot was smothered by Jezeph.
After the restart, Zack Howell’s cross was headed clear to Luka Chalwell on the edge of the box, but the Stortford man’s shot was blocked.
And the visitors broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when Mark Haines was penalised for a foul on Loza inside the box and Ranger found the top corner with his spot kick.
The Poppies had chances to double their lead as Kyle Storer’s free kick went under the jumping wall and wide of the post before Tyree Wilson’s effort was saved by Krasniqi.
They did seal their victory eight minutes from time when substitute Terrell Pennant, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, received the ball on the right-hand side of the box and slotted the ball low into the bottom corner.
Blues: Krasniqi, Thompson, Haines (booked 63), Melvin-Lambert (Cohen 74), Russell (booked 68), Scott, Virciglio (Castle 74, Jordan 85), Chalwell, Charles (Evans 65, booked 72), Ogwuazor, Howell. Not used: Forde.
Kettering Town: Jezeph, Hart, Kelly-Evans, Johnson (York 26), Gudger, Ranger (Edwards 84), Wilson (Pennant 79), White, Storer, Miller (McLintock 59), Loza (booked 52). Not used: Thanoj.
Attendance: 664.
