Southern League, Premier Central: Bishop’s Stortford to face final-day relegation drama as former captain Ryan Henshaw returns to haunt his old side
A goal 15 minutes from time by former captain Ryan Henshaw condemned Bishop’s Stortford to a 1-0 home defeat by AFC Sudbury on Easter Monday (April 21).
It means Steve Castle’s side travel to Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday (April 26) knowing they must win their final Southern League, Premier Central fixture this season to guarantee their Step 3 survival.
But the disappointment of defeat in front of a bumper bank holiday crowd of 708 – their last match at the RDA Stadium this campaign – was softened by the news that two relegation rivals below them in the table both lost: Redditch United 4-0 at Banbury United and Barwell 1-0 at play-off hopefuls Harborough Town.
With Biggleswade Town, Hitchin Town and Lowestoft Town already relegated, one of four teams separated by three points will join them: Barwell (19th with 46 points and a goal difference of -13), Redditch United (18th, 46pts, GD -12), Stortford (17th, 48pts, GD -11) and St Ives Town (16th, 49pts, GD -2).
But while Blues finish their season with an away match, Barwell, Redditch and St Ives will all be at home, to seventh-placed Spalding United, relegated Hitchin and eighth-placed Stratford Town respectively. Victory for Sudbury, who started the day one point and one place below their hosts, guaranteed their own safety.
Chances were sparse in the first half. After 32 minutes, Cole Dasilva struck a sweet low cross into the path of Fabio Virciglio, who was sent off in the 1-1 draw at St Ives Town on Saturday, but the midfielder miscued his strike and the ball went over the bar.
Dasilva also fired over from range and Presley Evans forced Sudbury keeper Bradbrook into a low save from Rashawn Scott’s deep cross before half time.
The crowd were left wondering how Blues did not take the lead midway through the second half. Bradbrook turned Scott’s 20-yard low strike onto his crossbar and the visitors scrambled clear Dasilva’s low follow-up.
On 73 minutes, Stortford goalie Elliott Krasniqi met Cowling’s strong strike with a fine save low to his right, but he was beaten two minutes later when Henshaw fired home a loose ball into the corner of the net.
There was one final chance for Blues to salvage a point on 89 minutes with an almighty scramble on the Sudbury goal line, but somehow the ball was cleared. There were huge calls for a foul on Scott in the area moments later, and then Brad Russell struck a shot inches wide.
Bishop’s Stortford: Krasniqi, Dasilva, Cohen (Melvin-Lambert 45), Thompson (c), Haines, Russell (booked 28), Scott, Virciglio (Forde 81 booked), Chalwell, Ogwuazor (booked 71), Evans (Charles 60). Unused subs: Cook, Akinbulumo.
Attendance: 708
