Jonathan Edwards scores twice as Southern League Premier Central leaders Kettering Town beat Bishop’s Stortford 2-1

Rashawn Scott scored a consolation goal and was later sent off as Bishop’s Stortford lost 2-1 at leaders Kettering Town on Saturday (December 14).

He converted a 74th-minute penalty before receiving an added-time red card in the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central contest.

Jonathan Edwards got both goals for the table-topping hosts in the first half as they maintained their three-point lead at the summit.

The Blues, who host Leiston this Saturday (December 21) before visiting AFC Sudbury on Boxing Day, are 15th in the table, four points above the relegation zone and seven adrift of the play-off places.

Stortford manager Steve Castle handed a debut to new signing Lanre Balogun and the former Takeley and Braintree Town striker went close early on when he poked the ball onto the post.

But it was the Poppies, who reached the second round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup where they lost 2-1 to Sky Bet League Two side Doncaster Rovers, who took a 13th-minute lead when Edwards found the top corner with a powerful header.

And he doubled the hosts’ advantage nine minutes later by beating Elliot Krasniqi from the penalty spot after a foul by Jack Roberts.

Brad Russell had a chance for the Blues just before the break with his volley going over the bar.

After the restart, Balogun headed wide from Luke Warner-Eley’s cross, Roberts fired over and Stortford captain Jake Thompson just missed the target with a glancing header from Cole Dasilva’s corner.

The visitors did halve the deficit with 16 minutes remaining when Jaden Ogwuazor was fouled by Isaiah Noel-Williams inside the box and Scott tucked away the spot kick.

The Blues applied pressure in the closing stages as they searched for an equaliser, but were unable to fashion any more clear-cut chances.

And they ended the game with 10 men as Scott was given his marching orders in the first minute of additional time following a confrontation.

Kettering Town: Jezeph, Hart, Powell, Kelly-Evans, Johnson, York (booked), Jarvis (Andrade 72), Mbayo, Stohrer (booked), Noel-Williams, Edwards (booked). Not used: Alexander, Ranger, Miller, Hooper.

Blues: Krasniqi, Dasilva, Warner-Eley, Oluwatimilehin (booked), Thompson, Ogwuazor, Balogun, Russell (booked), Roberts (booked, Virciglio 75), Charles, Scott (sent off 90+1). Not used: Atkins, Cook, Amu.

Attendance: 964.