Bishop's Stortford match report
match report by Philip Murphy
Bishop’s Stortford inflicted a 5-0 demolition job on Kingstonian at Imperial Fields. Two goals in twenty minutes sent the promotion contenders on their way in a one-sided encounter at Imperial Fields.
K’s started the contest without the services of Declan Skura and the centre half’s absence was felt inside four minutes when Matthew Johnson had time to calmly volley a Darren Foxley corner into the net from six yards out.
The visitors added a second when Anthony Church slotted home from close range after The Blues broke down the right.
The Hertfordshire side could have been out of sight at the interval, but for the heroics of Rob Tolfrey, who did all in his power to give K’s a fighting chance as we entered the break.
Half-Time: Kingstonian 0-2 Bishop’s Stortford
Knight’s men needed a big reaction to turn things around and Great Evans offered a glimmer of hope in the opening minutes of the second period, but dragged wide from a promising position.
By the hour mark, any notion of an unlikely comeback was quashed when Matthew Johnson’s cross was neatly converted into the net by Ryan Henshaw from close-range. K’s momentarily thought they were off the hook thanks to a raised flag, but following consultation between referee and assistant the goal was awarded.
Just five minutes later, with the K’s defence all at sea, the visitors made it four. Last man home Jake Eales made a desperate attempt at a block but the ball cannoned off his arm and the referee pointed to the spot. David Olufemi sent Rob Tolfrey the other way from the resultant penalty.
Fifteen minutes from time it was déjà vu for Les Bleus when an untidy Pascal challenge led to another penalty. Olufemi placed his second spot-kick of the day to the same side and this time it squirmed just under Tolfrey to make it five.
In the late stages Iker Leon almost grabbed a consolation for K’s, while Rob Tolfrey was kept busy in limiting the damage at the other end on a day to forget for Spencer Knight’s men.
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Dwight Pascal, Chevron McLean, Sean Bonnett-Johnson, Danny Dudley, Tyrese Owen, Iker Noguera Leon, Lee Lewis, Great Evans, Kwesi Ntim, Jake Eales.
Subs: Isaiah Jones (for Chevron McLean, 66m), Jacob Bancroft (for Lee Lewis, HT), Michael Abnett, O'Shane Stewart (for Tyrese Owen, 71m), Junior Mboglem.
Bishop's Stortford: Jack Giddens, Jay Porter, Anthony Church, Ryan Henshaw, Matthew Johnson, Donell Thomas, David Olufemi, Darren Foxley, Ryan Charles, Oliver Peters, Chris Harris.
Subs: Jonny Giles (for Darren Foxley, 67m), Frankie Merrifield (for Chris Harris, 63m), Jack Thomas, Brandon Adams (for Donell Thomas, 63m).
Goal scorers: Matthew Johnson (4m, 0-1), Anthony Church (20m, 0-2), Ryan Henshaw (59m, 0-3), David Olufemi (65m pen, 0-4), David Olufemi (76m, 0-5)
Attendance: 219
