Bishop’s Stortford denied victory by added-time penalty in 1-1 draw with Stratford Town in Southern League Premier Central
Bishop’s Stortford were denied maximum points by a last-gasp penalty as promotion-chasing Stratford Town nicked a 1-1 draw at the RDA Stadium on Saturday (February 22).
The Blues were on course to make it back-to-back wins, but substitute Charlie Williams levelled from the spot for the fourth-placed Bards in the ninth minute of added time at the end of the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central contest.
Stortford manager Steve Castle, who had already been booked for applauding a decision by referee Gareth Burton in the first half, was sent off following protests around the awarding of the penalty.
The Blues, who are four games unbeaten, are 13th in the table, six places and seven points above the relegation zone.
They have 10 matches remaining, starting with a trip to fourth-from-bottom Barwell on Saturday (March 1).
The Bards had some early chances as Kevin Joshua fired high and wide, Daniel Lafferty had a shot blocked and saw an effort go narrowly wide and Owen James was unable to stab the ball home from close range.
Stortford goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi also did well to keep out Lewis Ludford-Ison’s header while, at the other end, Charlie Castle put a headed effort inches wide.
James had a low shot blocked by Blues captain Jake Thompson and Callum Ebanks was thwarted by Krasniqi.
It was the hosts who broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Fabio Virciglio, whose initial shot was saved by Jenson Kilroy, teed up Olu Oluwatimilehin to fire in his first home goal for the club from 20 yards.
The Blues had chances to increase their lead before the break as Rashawn Scott forced Kilroy into a smart stop, Jaden Ogwuazor’s looping header landed on the roof of the net and Luka Chalwell fired wide from Virciglio’s lay-off.
The Bards began the second period well and Krasniqi did brilliantly to keep out Ludford-Ison’s half-volley after Cole Dasilva had cleared off the line from a corner.
Stratford turned up the heat as James shot over the bar and both Paul McCone and Lafferty had efforts saved.
The hosts’ clearest chance of the second period fell to veteran striker Gary Cohen, who chipped onto the roof of the net.
There was then very late drama as, in the ninth minute of additional time, Chalwell was deemed to have fouled Lafferty inside the box and Williams blasted the spot kick down the middle to equalise.
Blues: Krasniqi, Dasilva, Warner-Eley (Haines 83, booked 87), Oluwatimilehin (Cohen 65), Thompson, Castle (Evans 65, booked 90+6), Virciglio (Akinbulumo 90+1), Chalwell, Ogwuazor, Amu, Scott. Not used: Roberts.
Stratford Town: Kilroy, Brennan (booked 70, Vann 87), Hawker (booked 78), McCone, Solanke (Burton 68), Ludford-Ison, Ebanks (Bruce 56), Lafferty, Joshua, James (Williams 75), Lacey. Not used: Molyneux.
Attendance: 363.
