Bishop’s Stortford survive on final day as Barwell fill last Southern League Premier Central relegation place

Bishop’s Stortford took care of business by winning 3-2 at Bromsgrove Sporting to secure Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central survival on Saturday (April 26).

The Blues went into the last game of the season knowing they had to win to guarantee staying up and they came from 2-1 down to triumph as Harry Forde, Luka Chalwell and Rashawn Scott all netted.

As it turned out, they would still have stayed up with a draw or a defeat as another result went in their favour. Redditch United and Barwell began the day below Stortford, trailing by two points, and could have overhauled them - the former did their bit by beating Hitchin Town 4-0 but the latter were hammered 7-1 by Spalding United.

The weekend’s results mean Steve Castle’s men ended the campaign in 15th, four places and five points above the drop zone.

Barwell filled the final relegation spot alongside Lowestoft Town, Hitchin and Biggleswade Town whose fate had already been confirmed.

The Blues went ahead inside two minutes at Bromsgrove as Forde ghosted in at the back post to convert Cole Dasilva’s cross.

They went close again when Forde’s through ball to Nahum Melvin-Lambert was deflected into the path of Scott on the left wing and he dribbled into the box before drawing a save from Charles Price.

Dasilva saw his shot go wide after being found by Ryan Charles before, at the other end, Blues goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi closed down Theo Robinson and Mark Haines headed clear.

Price was forced into another save as he kept out Scott’s fizzing low shot across the box.

The Rouslers drew level in the 36th minute when James Meddows found the bottom corner with a half-volley from the edge of the box.

And the hosts went into the break with the lead as Ashley Carter’s long ball was nodded down in the area and Robinson finished from close range at the far post.

Robinson had another opportunity for the home side after the interval when he sent a glancing header wide from a right-wing free kick.

The Blues made it all square in the 64th minute when Chalwell latched onto Charles’ lofted pass and chipped the onrushing Price from the edge of the box.

Stortford regained the lead nine minutes later as a loose ball fell to Scott inside the area and he turned away from a defender before firing in from a tight angle with his left foot.

The Rouslers ended the contest with 10 men as captain Reece King was sent off in added time for a high tackle on Dasilva.

With the Blues’ step three status being confirmed, they must now wait to see where they will be playing next season. Early indications suggest they will remain in the Southern League, but there is always the possibility of them being switched back to the Isthmian League.

Bromsgrove Sporting: Price, King (booked 86, sent off 90+1), Roberts (booked 67), Carter (booked 84), Shaw (booked 80), Styche (Newall 71), Robinson, Meddows, Lyden (booked 64), Lycett, Morris (White 55). Not used: Morrison, Atwal, Snape.

Blues: Krasniqi, Dasilva, Thompson, Haines, Melvin-Lambert (booked 74, Jordan 90+4), Russell, Scott, Chalwell, Charles (booked 53, Castle 88), Ogwuazor, Forde (Evans 55). Not used: Cook, Akinbulumo.

Attendance: 970.