Bishop's Stortford 1 Darlington 0

Goal: Foxley 28 mins

There was no lack of effort from Quakers, but they were beaten by a first half goal at Bishop's Stortford.

There was no doubting all the effort that the players displayed in 33 degree heat, but their luck in front of goal deserted them, especially in the second half.

All of the players displayed great togetherness which was abundant in their second half efforts in the heat, but to no avail. It was tough luck on the caretaker trip of Will Hatfield, Jake Lawlor and Tom Platt, who prepared extensively for the game for no reward.

Quakers nearly scored after 3 minutes. Hatfield made a good run forward with the ball, Jacob Hazel laid it off for Ben Liddle to fire just over the bar from 20 yards.

Finlay Barnes then put a teasing cross in from the right that was headed away on the six yard line.

Good play by Barnes on the right when he dribbled past two men saw him find Jordan Mustoe on the left, but the full back’s cross was too high over the heads of his teammates.

Quakers won the first corner after 12 minutes thanks to Hatfield’s run, Hatfield’s corner was nodded down by Toby Lees at the back post, but nobody could get a touch.

At this point, Quakers could look back on a promising start.

Bishop’s got their first corner on 18 minutes on their right, but the ball was hit too far and went out of play on the other side.

Quakers gained a free kick for a foul on Barnes on the halfway line, but Kallum Griffiths set piece went over Hazel’s head.

At the other end, Lees coolly chested down a left wing cross from Charles for Taylor to collect.

The home side took the lead out of the blue  on 28 minutes. There was a penalty shout for a challenge by Taylor in the box, but the ball ran for Tom Derry whose effort was cleared off the line by Mustoe , and then Darren Foxley collected the loose ball and beat Taylor with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Neither side could put much together until Bishop’s had the chance of a second on 41 minutes when Derry got away from his marker to head a right wing corner over the top.

Quakers had their best chance of the half just on half time when a good move ended with Nelson crossing from the left for Barnes to head over at the far post.

Half time 1-0

Quakers nearly levelled at the start of the second half. Nelson picked up the ball in midfield, beat two men and hit a right foot shot that the keeper touched on to the bar, came down, and Barnes, following up, saw his effort superbly blocked by the keeper.

Liddle then played a 1-2 with Hazel, and chipped the keeper, but the ball landed on the roof of the net

Hazel then claimed he was pushed as he went for a long ball that bounced in the box, but the referee waved play on.

Hazel then neatly controlled a through ball in the box, turned and set up Nelson whose right foot shot was blocked.

Quakers then put Kaine Felix on in place of Ben Liddle, and then Cameron Salkeld instead of Jacob Hazel.

Bishop’s had a great chance when Ogunmawinde cut in from the right and set up Peters, who blasted over the top.

Salkeld’s first touch was a cross from the right that Barnes nearly got to, but they got a corner instead.

Salked then couldn’t quite turn in the area when the ball dropped to him.

Quakers then put Adriano Moke for Mustoe on 82 minutes, and they nearly scored straight after when Moke found Salkeld on the right, and his cross was headed just over by Nelson.

Sukar then did really well to beat his man on the left and put in a great cross to the far post, and Griffiths, coming in on the blind side, headed just wide.

Griffiths and Sukar stayed up front as two of four strikers as Quakers pushed for the equaliser. There was another stoppage for Lees to receive treatment for a cut.

They put five up front for the remainder of the game, and Platt went close with a header.

Final score

Bishop's Stortford 1 Darlington 0

Team: 

Taylor, Griffiths, Lees, Sukar, Mustoe(sub Moke 83), Platt, Hatfield, Liddle (sub Felix 60), Barnes, Nelson, Hazel (sub Salkeld 72)

Subs:  Rivers,Windass

Bishops Stortford

Giddens, Haines, Powell, Thomas (sub Howard 80), Henshaw, Braney (sub Ogunwamide 55), Derry, Foxley, Olufemi, Charles (sub Greene 66), Peters

Subs: Sykes, Cracknell