Nahum Melvin-Lambert scores his first Bishop’s Stortford goal in 2-0 Southern League Premier Central win over Redditch United

Nahum Melvin-Lambert netted his first Bishop’s Stortford goal as they ended 2024 with a 2-0 home win over Redditch United on Saturday (December 28).

The former Reading youngster was joined on the score sheet by Fabio Virciglio in the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central contest.

The Blues have finished the year with back-to-back victories and moved back into the top half of the table.

They sit 11th on 30 points - seven points away from the play-offs and three above the drop zone - going into their home game with fourth-placed Bedford Town on New Year’s Day (3pm).

Redditch, who are one place above the Blues, had the first chances at the RDA Stadium as Nicholas Clayton-Phillips shot narrowly wide from 20 yards and Johnny Johnston was denied by a sliding block from Jaden Ogwuazor.

Erin Amu missed the target with a powerful effort from distance for the hosts before team-mate Jack Roberts forced a save from visiting goalkeeper Oliver Taylor.

The Blues continued to apply pressure and Cole Dasilva had a looping volley saved by Taylor while Melvin-Lambert headed onto the roof of the net.

The last chance of the opening period fell to Redditch as Bradley Burton headed wide at the far post from a left-wing cross.

Stortford broke the deadlock four minutes into the second half when Melvin-Lambert pounced on a defensive mix-up before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

The away side, who have now gone six games without a win, could have equalised immediately, but George Burroughs put a free header over the bar from close range.

And the Blues instantly punished that miss as shot-stopper Taylor fumbled Dasilva’s cross and Virciglio notched from close range.

Virciglio had a chance to claim a brace when substitute Charlie Castle nodded the ball down to him from Roberts’ cross, but he fired wide.

Ogwuazor then denied Johnston again with a perfectly-timed tackle and Kartell Dawkins headed off target as the Blues, for whom Ryan Charles made his 200th appearance, kept a clean sheet.

Blues: Krasniqi (booked 83), Dasilva (booked 89), Warner-Eley, Oluwatimilehin (Bennett 67), Thompson (booked 37, Haines 56), Melvin-Lambert, Roberts (Balogun 77), Virciglio, Charles (Castle 62), Ogwuazor, Amu (Akinbulumo 77).

Redditch United: Taylor, Burton, Kelly (booked 40), Dawkins (Thomas 89), Rowley, Strafford (Kirton 46), Johnston (booked 90+5), Clayton-Phillips (Atwal 73), Inman (booked 90+4), Burroughs, Onabirekhanlen (Davidson-Miller 89). Not used: Digie.

Attendance: 402.