Nahum Melvin-Lambert scores twice as Bishop’s Stortford beat Cray Wanderers 4-0 in FA Trophy third qualifying round
Nahum Melvin-Lambert came off the bench to score twice as Bishop’s Stortford won 4-0 at home to Cray Wanderers in the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday (October 4).
Mark Haines and Saleem Akanbi also struck as all of the goals came in the last half-hour of the third qualifying round tie.
The victory over their fellow step three side – the Wands compete in the Pitching In Isthmian League, Premier Division – means the Blues are on a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions and have netted nine goals during that time.
In the first round proper, Steve Castle’s side will again travel to Isthmian Premier opposition, this time in the form of 17th-placed Billericay Town. The tie – one of 32 at the next stage – is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday October 25.
Stortford captain Jake Thompson recovered to block Ashley Nzala’s close-range effort early on before Nzala also tested goalkeeper Adam Hayton.
Fabio Virciglio was denied by shot-stopper Harry Seaden as the Blues went close while, at the other end, Hayton parried Alex Hernandez’s curling free kick and Leon Davies cleared the danger.
The visitors, who are managed by Blues boss Castle’s former Leyton Orient team-mate Tim O’Shea, had a good chance after the break when Lateef Adaja dribbled into the box and had a low shot tipped round the post by Hayton.
Stortford broke the deadlock on the hour mark as Cole Dasilva floated in a corner from the right and Haines volleyed home from close range.
The hosts could have doubled their advantage when Haines’ defensive partner Thompson headed towards goal at the far post, but Seaden was equal to it.
Substitute Melvin-Lambert did make it 2-0 with a header with 15 minutes remaining, however, by getting on the end of Davies’ cross to notch with his first touch.
The Wands had chances to reduce the arrears as Chris Dickson’s header glanced off the top of the bar and Freddie Taylor fired over.
Stortford added a third in the 85th minute when Cray defender Remi Sutton left his header short and Akanbi poked the ball past the onrushing Seaden.
Melvin-Lambert then wrapped up the win by intercepting the ball and finding the roof of the net to seal his brace.
Blues: Hayton, Dasilva (Lethbridge 88), Davies (Field 90), Thompson, Haines (booked 67), Greene (Melvin-Lambert 74), Phillips (booked 30, Chalwell 39), Onyeagwara (Kashket 69), Virciglio (booked 49), Smith, Akanbi.
Cray Wanderers: Seaden, F Taylor, Owiredu-Gyamera, Waldock (Allen 72), Sutton, Bonner, Nzala (booked 59), Raymond (booked 47), Hernandez (Dickson 72), Williams, Adaja. Not used: Bobomurodov, Q Taylor, Mensah.
Attendance: 266.