Bishop’s Stortford claim first home win for almost five months and end run of 18 consecutive Vanarama National League North defeats by beating Banbury United 3-1

Bishop’s Stortford claimed a first home win for almost five months and ended a run of 18 consecutive Vanarama National League North defeats by beating Banbury United 3-1 on Easter Monday (April 1).

The relegated Blues beat the 10-man visitors, who had Emmanuel Maja sent off in the 36th minute, thanks to goals from Tosin Olufemi, recent recruit Codey Cosgrave and Darren Foxley.

It was Stortford’s first home victory in the league since a 3-1 success over Buxton back on November 4 and their first league win anywhere since they triumphed 2-0 at Darlington on December 23.

The Puritans, who are third from bottom and battling to stay up, had a couple of early chances as Craig Hewitt was denied by a brave last-ditch challenge from Harry Beadle before Stortford goalkeeper and captain Jack Giddens did brilliantly to keep out Ken Charles’ long-range effort with a fingertip save.

The Blues worked their way into things and Amadou Kassarate went close with a back-post effort that deflected over off Cosgrave while Ryan Charles rattled the outside of the post from 15 yards.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men nine minutes before half time when Maja was dismissed for a late challenge on Kassarate.

Four minutes later, Stortford broke the deadlock as Olufemi beat shot-stopper James Dadge at his near post from the edge of the area.

The hosts could have pulled clear before the break, but Kassarate nodded wide from Foxley’s corner and the latter saw a low strike just kept out by a relieved Dadge.

After the restart, Kassarate again went close with a headed opportunity while Jack Thomas had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee.

Giddens produced another excellent save to keep the ball out of his net during a goalmouth scramble, but he was beaten in the 65th minute when Puritans skipper Tai Fleming equalised with a bundled effort from an inswinging corner.

However, the Blues restored their advantage seven minutes later as Cosgrave collected the ball in the area and calmly slotted past Dadge to open his account for the club.

Blues substitute Kane Crichlow had a powerful shot from distance saved with two minutes remaining before Foxley sealed the points by poking the ball into the net after some hesitation from the goalkeeper.

Blues: Giddens, Akolbire, Kassarate (McGregor 59), Beadle, Cosgrave, Foxley, Olufemi, Thomas (booked 49), Charles (booked 14, Crichlow 74), Harvey, Greene. Not used: Robbins, Mupomba, Alexander.

Banbury United: Dadge, Ward (booked 32), Woodhouse, Fleming, Sturridge (Opoku 82), Charles, Hewitt (Njie 46), Light, Beresford, Maja (sent off 36), Pache. Not used: Scott, Bunga, Middleton.

Referee: Ayrton Hursey.

Attendance: 431.