Bishop’s Stortford beaten 3-0 at Boston United in National League North
Bishop’s Stortford suffered a ninth consecutive Vanarama National League North defeat as they went down 3-0 at Boston United on Saturday (February 17).
The latest loss leaves the bottom side 18 points adrift of 20th-placed Southport, who represent safety, with 14 matches remaining.
The Blues will be hoping for better fortune when they entertain Coalville Town in the fifth round of the Isuzu FA Trophy - the tie has been postponed twice due to a waterlogged pitch at the RDA Stadium - tomorrow night (Tuesday February 20).
Midfielder Zain Walker returned to the starting line-up after rejoining Stortford from Aldershot Town on loan for the rest of the season.
Defender Lordon Akolbire, who made six appearances for Steve Smith’s side on loan from Colchester United as they won the Pitching In Isthmian League, Premier Division last term, started on the bench after being signed on Friday and came on as a half-time substitute.
Deji Sotona had an early chance for the Pilgrims with a low shot that was deflected behind for a corner before Ethan Sephton missed the target from distance.
The hosts, who are two places and one point outside the play-offs, went ahead in the 15th minute when Blues defender Emmanuel Oke mistimed his jump when attempting to clear a left-wing cross and Jimmy Knowles was able to bring the ball down and fire home.
And Tom Leak doubled their advantage 12 minutes later with a back-post header from a free kick on the right after Sam Robbins had been penalised for a foul.
Stortford captain and goalkeeper Jack Giddens made a fine save down low to keep out Michael Gyasi’s powerful shot before, at the other end, Walker slipped as he went to meet the ball on the half-volley from Amadou Kassarate’s cross.
As half time approached, Kelsey Mooney fired a volley against the middle of the crossbar from Rowe’s cross for the Pilgrims while the Blues’ Darren Foxley saw his 25-yard strike curl wide.
Some of the home supporters cheered what they thought was their side’s third goal after the interval, but Riccardo Di Trolio cleared off the line for a corner. From the set piece, Sotona’s shot was blocked by Harry Beadle and Di Trolio.
Sotona was also denied by Giddens when the Blues shot-stopper saved his shot from the right side of the box
Leak headed wide from a left-wing free kick before, at the other end, Foxley saw a low shot deflected wide for a corner.
The Pilgrims continued to press for a third goal as Gyasi’s curling shot was blocked by Akolbire and Knowles fired over the bar.
And they did add to their tally eight minutes from time when Jordan Richards chipped into an empty net after a miscued pass into midfield by Giddens.
Jack Thomas narrowly missed the target for the Blues with a rising shot from Ryan Charles’ cut back in a rare Blues attack before a superb save from Giddens denied Rowe.
Boston United: Chapman, Rowe, Sephton, Bostwick (booked 48), Leak, Woods (Mills 23), Mooney (booked 69), Knowles, Gyasi (Smart 73), Sotona (Marriott 79), Richards. Not used: Nicholson, Ward.
Blues: Giddens, Di Trolio, Kassarate, Robbins, Beadle (booked 76), McGregor (Charles 69), Crichlow, Foxley (booked 42, Thomas 74), Oke (Akolbire 46), Walker, Greene. Not used: Olufemi, Alexander.
Attendance: 1,735.