William Hayhurst penalty condemns Bishop’s Stortford to 1-0 defeat at Curzon Ashton in National League North
A second-half penalty proved the difference as Bishop’s Stortford lost 1-0 at Curzon Ashton in Vanarama National League North on Saturday (November 11).
The 61st-minute spot kick, conceded by Tosin Olufemi and converted by William Hayhurst, condemned the Blues to their ninth consecutive away defeat in all competitions.
Steve Smith’s men, who are second from bottom, have won once in their last 11 outings in league and cup and have earned just one point on the road this term.
Defender Manny Adebowale, who featured for the club 15 times in 2016-17, made his second debut for Stortford after arriving on a month’s loan from Dartford. There was also a full debut for Mbunya Alemanji while Sam Robbins and Ben Marlow made their first starts since returning from long-term injuries.
Hyden Campbell shot over the bar and James Spencer’ curled effort was safely held by Stortford goalkeeper and captain Jack Giddens.
At the other end, Gio McGregor’s shot from 25 yards deflected wide off team-mate Darren Foxley, Marlow was also off target from distance and Alemanji had appeals for a penalty turned down after claiming he had his shirt pulled when jumping for the ball.
The last chance of the first half fell to Hayhurst when his free kick flew narrowly wide with Giddens at full stretch.
The Blues had a couple of chances at the start of the second period as both McGregor and Alemanji missed the target before Giddens kept out a free kick from Hayhurst.
It was the seventh-placed hosts who broke the deadlock just past the hour mark when Olufemi was penalised for a foul on substitute Jamie Allen inside the box and Hayhurst slotted in the penalty.
The home team sat back in the last 20 minutes and allowed the Blues time on the ball.
Their best chance to equalise came when Adebowale headed Foxley’s corner back across goal and Jack Thomas’ volley hit the crossbar.
The Blues are at home to second-placed Tamworth in the league tomorrow night (Tuesday November 14) before entertaining St Albans City in the second round of the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday (November 18).
Curzon Ashton: Ollerenshaw, Poscha, Matthews, Kenyon, Sinclair, Campbell (Allen 58, booked 90+4), Spencer, Hayhurst (booked 90), Mols (Barnton 69), Richards, Mahon (Storey 84). Not used: Waring, Taylor.
Blues: Giddens (booked 45+1), Thomas (booked 58), Robbins, Beadle (booked 19; Sodje 46), McGregor, Marlow (Alexander 63), Alemanji, Foxley (booked 68), Olufemi (booked 42), Adebowale (booked 61), Greene (Charles 73). Not used: Haines, Walker.
Attendance: 243.