Manny Adebowale added-time own goal condemns Bishop’s Stortford to cruel 2-1 defeat to Tamworth in National League North
Manny Adebowale’s own goal with the last kick of the game condemned Bishop’s Stortford to a cruel 2-1 home defeat against Tamworth in Vanarama National League North on Tuesday night (November 14).
The defender, who was making his second appearance since rejoining the Blues last week, diverted a free kick into his own net in the sixth and final minute of added time at the end of the contest.
The defeat - their ninth in the last 10 in the league - leaves Steve Smith’s men second from bottom in the table with 13 points from 19 matches.
The visitors went into the contest in second place and their last-gasp victory took them to the top on goal difference ahead of second-placed South Shields. Scunthorpe United, who were top, slipped to third after suffering a 3-1 defeat at King’s Lynn Town.
The Blues are in Isuzu FA Trophy action on Saturday (November 18) at home to St Albans City before visiting Banbury United in the league on Tuesday (November 21).
Adebowale had the first effort of the match with a header from a corner that was blocked on the line before Mbunya Alemanji was thwarted by Jas Singh’s diving save.
At the other end, Adebowale deflected Kai Williams’ shot wide before the Lambs forced two goal-line clearances of their own from the following corner.
Stortford went close when Ryan Charles spotted Singh off his line, but the goalkeeper backtracked well to tip the effort over the bar.
After the interval, the Blues’ Tosin Olufemi blocked Jamie Willetts’ header from a corner before clearing it off the line.
The hosts broke the deadlock on the hour when Singh saved a low shot from Gio McGregor and Alemanji was in the right place to bury the rebound and claim his first goal for the club. The lead did not last long, however, as, four minutes later, Nathan Tshikuna equalised for the Lambs with a curling shot into the top corner from 20 yards.
Stortford substitute Ollie Peters’ first touch off the bench was a half-volley which went narrowly over the bar.
Just when it seemed the spoils would be shared, Darren Foxley conceded a free kick inside the centre circle which was kicked long by Singh, allowed to bounce in the box and Adebowale, under pressure from Tshikuna, diverted the ball into his own net off the post.
Blues: Giddens, Sodje, Thomas, Beadle, McGregor (Greene 84), Alemanji (Walker 75), Foxley (booked 90+5), Olufemi, Adebowale, Charles (booked 30), Alexander (Peters 69, booked 79). Not used: Robbins, Marlow.
Tamworth: Singh, Curley, Reilly (Tonks 86), Deacon, Fairlamb, Williams (Brogan 86), Willetts (booked 45), Cullinane-Liburd (booked 57), Tshikuna, Jellis, Arlott-John (Gyasi 71). Not used: Dolman, Phillips.
Attendance: 387.
