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James Collins scores debut goal for Bishop’s Stortford in 1-1 draw with Banbury United in Southern League Premier Central




James Collins’ debut goal helped Bishop’s Stortford end their six-game losing run as they drew 1-1 at home to Banbury United on Saturday (November 9).

The forward, who has joined on a month’s loan from Dulwich Hamlet, took just seven minutes to open his Blues account in the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central contest at the RDA Stadium.

But Yaw Nantwi-Ofosu levelled for the 10th-placed visitors, who, like the Blues, were relegated from Vanarama National League North last season, before the break to leave Steve Castle’s men fourth from bottom inside the relegation zone.

The Blues take to the pitch against Banbury United. Picture: @BSFCTheBlues on X
The Blues take to the pitch against Banbury United. Picture: @BSFCTheBlues on X

Stortford are back in action tomorrow evening (Tuesday November 12) away to 16th-placed Harborough Town.

Jaanai Gordon volleyed over from the edge of the box for the Puritans while the Blues’ Ryan Charles had a header saved by Jack Harding in the opening exchanges.

Charles then beat the offside trap and saw his low shot parried by Harding before Collins found the empty net from the rebound.

Stortford had chances to extend the lead as Rashawn Scott dragged a shot wide and had an effort saved by the goalkeeper while Fabio Virciglio was off target with an overhead kick.

The away side equalised with 31 minutes gone when Alex Prosser’s free kick was not cleared and Nantwi-Ofosu poked the ball home.

George Ball spurned a one-on-one chance for the Puritans as Stortford captain Jake Thompson recovered to deflect the shot and goalkeeper Charlie Binns made the save before also parrying the rebound.

After the interval, Blues debutant Collins went close to doubling his tally when his powerful strike was pushed away by Harding, who also kept out Charles’ follow-up.

The Blues players taking part in the minute's silence for Remembrance. Picture: @BSFCTheBlues on X
The Blues players taking part in the minute's silence for Remembrance. Picture: @BSFCTheBlues on X

Stortford skipper Thompson had the ball in the net with a header from a corner, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

With 13 minutes remaining, Blues manager Castle was dismissed from the technical area for dissent after the referee stopped play for an injury in the visitors’ defence with the hosts on the attack.

Jaden Ogwuazor had Stortford’s last opportunity, but could not apply the finishing touch at close range from a corner.

And, at the other end, Binns was called into action as he saved Harvey Westwood’s shot with his legs at the end of a lightning counter-attack.

Former Barking, Takeley and Uxbridge forward Presley Evans has joined the Blues and was an unused substitute.

Blues: Binns, Dasilva, Thompson, Haines, Collins, Russell, Virciglio (Oluwatimilehin 72), Charles (booked 37, Roberts 60), Ogwuazor, Amu, Scott (booked 14, Castle 89). Not used: Warner-Eley, Evans.

Banbury United: Harding, Fleming (booked 73), Ntlhe (Ferguson 81), Prosser, Nantwi-Ofosu, Jones (booked 35), Reilly, Gordon, George (Westwood 81), Ball (booked 22), Mussa (M Donaldson 46). Not used: C Donaldson, Hollyhead.

Attendance: 390.



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