The contrast
between the history and cultures of the two clubs was
highlighted with a request for quiet from the home supporters in
this sedate stadium as County fans in the grandstand voiced
their disapproval at some refereeing leniency from match
official Ian Rathbone. Flags and banners adorned the terracing
at the ends County attacked with the new tangerine tinged
‘amber’ shirts in abundance among the travelling support. With
County sporting their slick new all-red change kit the range of
colour from orange to yellow looked a little incongruous.
If the hosts
felt like strangers in their home backyard, it showed in their
performance as County dominated for most of the game and could
have taken a strong grip inside the first 20 minutes. Sam
O’Sullivan was denied by a goalline clearance from Michael
Stanbrook in the third minute and keeper Andy Young parried away
Jason Bowen’s follow-up. From the corner which followed Ian
Hillier’s header was scrambled off the line and O’Sullivan was
again denied, this time by Young on 19 minutes after the
inventive Lee Fowler opened up the home defence.
The curiously
named Jason Mason was way off the mark with an effort for
Stortford while an elbow from Craig Edwards which poleaxed
Nathan Davies incensed the County players though Mr Rathbone saw
fit to only show yellow to the home midfield player, and matched
this with a caution to Hillier for a reason not apparent to this
scribe.
County keeper
Glyn Thompson was relatively untroubled with Lee Jarman and
Hillier keeping the dangerous and pacy Greg Pearson quiet though
Jack Midson was like a rabbit in the glare of headlights when he
had time and space in a rare home threat. He missed the chance
to fire in a shot from the one clear opportunity which fell to
Stortford in the first period.
Davies produced
his usual all-action midfield ball winning display which freed
Fowler to probe for openings. The former Burton playmaker
forced Young to punch away a long range effort just after the
break while Julian Alsop caused problems for the home defenders
all afternoon to justify his possibly surprise selection ahead
of Charlie Griffin. Thompson was forced to curtail his
sunbathing activities to tip away a Pearson effort on 76 minutes
but with Griffin on for Craig Hughes and Lee John replacing Sam
O’Sullivan it was County who finished the game on top.
Bowen and
Griffin almost grabbed a winner which nobody could have
begrudged County in the closing minutes and it was the home
supporters who were more relieved to hear the final whistle.
Peter Beadle was
asked after the game if it was a point gained or two points
dropped and the County boss was in no doubt.
“Definitely a
point gained;” said Beads.
“That was as
good a performance as we have displayed away from home in my
time at the club. Bishop’s Stortford hardly had a chance all
game and on another day we might have scored four or five.
“It doesn’t
concern me too much because we dominated throughout and we know
we have goals in the side. The front three, including Charlie
when he came on, all worked their socks off. Our back five was
awesome, our wide men were outstanding and if they give me that
effort all season we can only get better.
“Bishop’s
Stortford are a good side who will do well so this is a point
gained.”
Line-ups:
Bishop’s
Stortford: Young, Jones, Wright, Edwards (Willamson 69),
Goodacre, Stanbrook, Mason (Fazackerley 62), Essandoh, Pearson,
Midson, Champion. Subs not used: Taylor, Gaisie, Welsh.
County:
Thompson, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Jarman, Hillier, Bowen,
Fowler, Alsop, Hughes (Griffin 76), O’Sullivan (John 85). Subs
not used: Dodds, Collier, Ovendale.
Cautions:
Edwards (B Stortford 24), Hillier (County 24).
Man of the
Match: B Stortford: Craig Goodacre (determined to keep out the
County raiders).
Man of the
Match: County: Lee Fowler (inspirational).
Referee: Ian Rathbone.
Assistants: Will Hardy, Gary Wilson.
Attendance: 516.
