Emirates FA Cup: Bishop’s Stortford into the hat for fourth qualifying round draw after beating National League North Hereford 3-2
Bishop’s Stortford came from behind to claim their second successive Step Two scalp in the Emirates FA Cup in a thrilling third qualifying round tie at home on Saturday.
Having won 1-0 at Vanarama National League South leaders Hemel Hempstead Town in the previous round, they beat National League North top-half side Hereford 3-2 in front of a season’s best attendance of 674 at the RDA Stadium.
Blues, who have now won six of their last seven matches in league and cup, will find out their fourth qualifying round opponents when the draw is made on Monday afternoon – and they are now potentially just one win away from meeting a League One or Two club in the first round proper.
It was the third successive match at the RDA Stadium in a week that Steve Castle’s side had conceded the first goal: they beat Stourbridge 3-1 in the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central last Saturday (Sept 21) then lost 2-1 to previously winless Biggleswade Town on Tuesday.
On Saturday, the Bulls took the lead after 11 minutes when winger Yusifu Ceesay continued his fine goal-scoring form against Stortford, having netted in both National League North meetings last season when Hereford did the double over Blues, winning 1-0 home and away. He scored with a controlled and powerful right-footed half-volley through a crowd and into the left side of the net.
The visitors should have doubled their lead when skipper Lewis Hudson dribbled into the box from left back, played a one-two and shot narrowly wide when Cosmos Matwasa was waiting in space at the far post for an open goal tap-in.
After 28 minutes Stortford were level through a spectacular strike. Cole Dasilva’s free kick was cleared as far as Scott near the halfway line, who spotted Bulls keeper Aaron Chapman off his line and scored with a superb chip for his second goal in three games.
Less than 30 seconds into the second half, Blues were in front. Scott dribbled through the Hereford midfield and slid in Ryan Charles on the left side of the box to shoot low under Chapman.
Stortford extended their lead after 62 minutes when half-time substitute Jack Roberts, on for Charlie Castle, forced an own goal in off a post from his bye-line cutback.
Hereford sub Andy Williams reduced the deficit for the Bulls with 15 minutes to go, poking in from 10 yards from a long free kick, to set up a tense finish, during which Chapman produced a stunning triple save to deny Charles, Brad Russell and Roberts in quick succession.
The closest the visitors came to forcing a replay was when Dasilva’s attempted clearance was blocked by Ceesay, who had a free run at goal from the left wing but his effort went wide.
Blues are in cup action again on Saturday (Oct 5) when they travel to Buckinghamshire to face Flackwell Heath, of the Southern League, Division One Central, in the Isuzu FA Trophy third qualifying round.
Blues: Binns (booked), Dasilva, Warner-Eley, Thompson (c) (booked 90+1), Haines, Castle (Roberts 46), Harness (booked; Rotimi 77, booked), Russell, Charles (Virciglio 88), Amu (Oluwatimilehin 66, booked), Scott. Unused subs: Moutawafiq, Ogwuazor, Taylor.
Hereford: Chapman, Hudson (c), Campbell (booked 72), Preston, D’Ath (Teixeira 66, booked 89), Rose, Rooney, Ceesay, Matwasa (Tilt 53), Robinson, Howkins (Williams 64). Unused subs: Horton, Derricott.
Attendance: 674.
