Rashawn Scott and Luka Chalwell score as Bishop’s Stortford beat Spalding United 2-0 in Southern League Premier Central
Man-of-the-match Rashawn Scott and Luka Chalwell struck as Bishop’s Stortford returned to winning ways with a 2-0 home success over Spalding United on Tuesday night (February 18).
The Blues ended a four-game winless run and climbed two places to 14th in Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central.
Steve Castle’s side, who have kept back-to-back clean sheets and registered four shutouts in their last seven fixtures, are now seven points above the relegation zone.
They are back in action on Saturday (February 22) when fourth-placed Stratford Town visit the RDA Stadium.
Stortford goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi made saves to deny Kieron Freeman and Abduramane Sano Sani before his opposite number, Aaron Chapman, produced a fine low stop to thwart Lenny Brown.
Tulips captain Glenn Walker skied an effort and team-mate Daniel Lawlor’s powerful half-volley went wide.
Bartosz Cybulski missed the target from 15 yards and the Spalding striker then drew a save from Krasniqi after wriggling through the Blues defence.
It was the hosts who broke the deadlock seven minutes before half time when Brown’s deflected cross was flicked on by Chalwell and Scott arrived to fire in from close range.
Scott began the second period well as he had a curling shot saved by Chapman before his dribble down the left wing led to Fabio Virciglio finding Erin Amu, who sliced a first-time shot wide.
The 11th-placed Tulips went close to equalising when Cybulski put the ball over the bar from six yards and the forward also saw a header hit the woodwork before the rebound was saved on the line by Krasniqi.
Spalding were firmly in the ascendancy, but the Blues, who also won November’s reverse fixture 3-1, held firm and wrapped up the win 10 minutes from time as Chalwell raced through, rounded Chapman and fired the ball into an empty net.
Blues: Krasniqi, Dasilva, Warner-Eley, Oluwatimilehin, Thompson (booked 85), Brown (Castle 57), Virciglio (Evans 70), Chalwell, Ogwuazor, Amu, Scott (Akinbulumo 76). Not used: Cook, Forde.
Spalding United: Chapman, Clifton (booked 25, Sherif 88), Fox, Moore, Johnson, Lawlor (Law 72), Sembie-Ferris, Freeman, Cybulski, Sano Sani (Chettle 84), Walker. Not used: Cartwright, Leshabela.
Attendance: 282.
