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Bishop’s Stortford come back to beat Stourbridge 3-1 and climb into fifth place in the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central




Bishop’s Stortford climbed six places to fifth in the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central after coming from behind to beat Stourbridge 3-1 at home on Saturday.

Second-half goals from Kian Harness – who also provided the assists for the two other goals – Charlie Castle and substitute Rashawn Scott gave Blues their fifth successive win in league and cup, a run in which they have conceded only two goals.

Manager Steve Castle stuck with the XI that started Stortford’s shock 1-0 FA Cup second qualifying round win at National League South leaders Hemel Hempstead Town a week earlier.

Stortford trailed to the Glassboys inside six minutes when left back Luke Warner-Eley’s pass to Erin Amu was intercepted by Souleyman Mandey, who ran through the middle and slotted low past Charlie Binns.

Stourbridge’s Jourdain Masidi nearly diverted Jack Roberts’ low cross from the right into his own net but was relieved to see the ball loop over the bar.

Ryan Charles thought he had equalised with a glancing header from Cole Dasilva’s cross but was flagged for offside, and at the other end Vladimiro Pais fired over the bar with a powerful strike.

Binns kept out Dominic Lewis’ curling effort from the left side of the box with a full-stretch dive to concede a corner, which was overhit, and the return second cross was headed wide by Ethan Freemantle.

Steve Castle’s half-time talk worked wonders as the Blues came out on the front foot, with a high press, and scored twice in five minutes to turn things around.

Roberts won the ball high up and passed to Harness, who slid the ball to Charles on the left, but his low effort was blocked for a corner. Roberts then won a free header from Dasilva’s cross but put it wide.

After 53 minutes, Roberts pressured the defence once more. Keeper Oliver Taylor rushed out to meet him and the Stortford forward squared the ball to Harness, who rolled it into the empty net to equalise for his fourth goal of the season.

Kian Harness taps home the equaliser against Stourbridge. Picture: Nathan Cracknell NCG Sport UK
Kian Harness taps home the equaliser against Stourbridge. Picture: Nathan Cracknell NCG Sport UK

Five minutes later Blues led. Charles won the ball in midfield and passed to Harness on the left. He floated the ball across the six-yard box, and although the Glassboys’ goalie got a hand to it, it fell nicely for the diving Castle to head home at the far post.

Neither side was able to create further chances until the 11 minutes of added time, when Jai Verma cut in off the left wing but pulled his low shot wide.

After 98 minutes, a foul by Scott sparked a flashpoint between the teams, resulting in three yellow cards – including Scott and Harness for Stortford – and a red card for the visitors’ Pais, who had started the match but been substituted at half time.

Rashawn Scott celebrates his goal against Stourbridge. Picture: Nathan Cracknell NCG Sport UK
Rashawn Scott celebrates his goal against Stourbridge. Picture: Nathan Cracknell NCG Sport UK

Scott sealed the three points with a goal timed at 101 minutes. He won the ball high up the pitch on the left, burst towards the byline and passed inside to Harness. His tame shot was spilled by Taylor and Scott, following in, tapped home the loose ball, his first goal for Blues.

This was the first of three home games in a week for Stortford. On Tuesday (Sept 24), in the league, they host second-from-bottom Biggleswade Town – who have just one point from their four away games – while next Saturday (Sept 28) National League North Hereford visit the RDA Stadium in the FA Cup third qualifying round.

Bishop’s Stortford: Binns, Dasilva, Warner-Eley, Oluwatimilehin (Rotimi 61), Thompson (c), Castle (Russell 61), Harness (booked 90+8), Roberts (Scott 76, booked 90+8), Charles (Virciglio 76), Ogwuazor (Haines 69), Amu.

Stourbridge: Taylor, Portman (booked 90+8), Mandey (Bradley 60), Brown, Bavanganga, Verma, Moore (c) (Durrell 46, Sidibe 81), Freemantle, Pais (sent off 90+8, Coyle 76), Masidi, Lewis. Unused sub: Cooper.

Attendance: 407



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