Bishop’s Stortford lose 4-1 at Barwell in Southern League Premier Central

Bishop’s Stortford conceded three goals in eight second-half minutes as they lost 4-1 at relegation rivals Barwell on Saturday (March 1).

The Blues did equalise through Luka Chalwell, but saw their four-game unbeaten run come to a halt in Leicestershire.

The defeat leaves Steve Castle’s men two places and six points above the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central drop zone, while their opponents have moved to within one place and four points of them.

Stortford face another big match this Saturday (March 8) when they entertain second-from-bottom Hitchin Town.

Barwell had the first chance of the game when Kane Richards hit the post after Ash Chambers had intercepted Olu Oluwatimilehin’s wayward pass.

The hosts were denied by the woodwork again when Brad Hickey’s effort cannoned off the frame of the goal before Jaden Ogwuazor cleared the ball off the line.

Chalwell saw a low shot saved by Will Highland after he had dribbled into the Barwell box while, at the other end, Blues goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi saved from Chambers.

Hickey missed the target for the home team after Cole Dasilva’s miscued clearance had been picked up by Lathaniel Rowe-Turner before Chambers fired over the bar.

Chalwell had a couple of opportunities for Stortford towards the end of the first half as he put a header wide from Rashawn Scott’s cross and volleyed over after Jake Thompson had chested down Dasilva’s deep free kick.

There was another chance for Chalwell after the restart as he turned and saw a shot deflected wide.

Barwell broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when Chambers poked home from close range after Krasniqi had made a save.

The Blues took just two minutes to equalise as Chalwell netted after Dasilva and Nahum Melvin-Lambert had combined.

However, the hosts immediately restored their advantage as the visitors failed to clear a goalmouth scramble and Hickey headed in.

Then, in the 70th minute, Barwell struck again when Ethan Hill finished off a fine passing move.

Substitute Presley Evans made an impact for the Blues and created a chance for Melvin-Lambert by dribbling into the centre from the right wing, but his fellow replacement’s strike was saved by Highland.

And Barwell sealed the victory with two minutes left as Richards was fouled by Thompson in the box and Hickey saw his penalty saved before converting the rebound.

Barwell: Highland, Richards (Arthur 90+2), Pepe-Ngoma, Nirennold, Chambers (Lita 80), Hickey, Hill, Waite (Brown-Hill 90+4), Hayes (Master 89), Rowe-Turner, Osbourne. Not used: Mancinelli.

Blues: Krasniqi (booked 87), Dasilva, Warner-Eley (Haines 57), Oluwatimilehin (Akinbulumo 71, booked 77), Thompson, Castle (Melvin-Lambert 43), Scott (Evans 66, booked 90+4), Chalwell (booked 25), Ogwuazor, Amu, Virciglio. Not used: Russell.

Attendance: 307.