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match details & summary
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Bishop’s Stortford FC
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2
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02/02/08
15:00
Woodspring Park
Bishop’s Stortford
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Eastbourne Borough FC
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1
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Conference Football League Blue Square South
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Referee:
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E Smith
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Attendance:
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422
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1 A Young
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1 L Hook
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2 M Jones
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2 D Baker
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3 D Lunan
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3 N Jenkins
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4 T Champion
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4 D Budd
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5 P Goodacre (C)
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5 J Lovett
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6 R Gillman
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6 M Pullan
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7 L Fazakerley
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7 P Harding
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8 J Mason
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8 P Armstrong (C)
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9 G Pearson
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9 A Atkin
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10 R Essandoh
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10 N Crabb
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11 A Deen
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11 M Crabb
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Substitutes:
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12 C Edwards for 5 after 70
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12 S Ramsay for 7 after 76
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14 T Williamson for 8 after 82
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14 A Ballard
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15 T Langer
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15 A Wilde for 11 after 76
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16 D Harris for 10 after 27
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16 D Douglas
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17 J Welch
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17 D Lightwood
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Goals:
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Deen (31), Harris (72)
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Crabb (2)
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Bookings:
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Fazakerley, Champion, Pearson
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Jenkins
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Sent Off:
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Match Report:
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 Boro traveled to Hertfordshire on the back of an excellent start to 2008 with 16 goals scored in the last 4 league and cup fixtures. This coupled with defensive strength; conceding only 2; hopes were high amongst ‘The Sports’ that points could be taken from a ground that has always been seen as ‘tricky’. It was also hoped that players would be returning from injury to provide competition within the squad and also rest tired limbs as appropriate. Unfortunately this was not to be and the playing squad had a familiar look since the turn of the year.
Ex ‘Sport’ Loui Fazakerley started at number 7 for Bishop’s Stortford and he was to have a major contribution to his sides victory. The visitors were, however, dominant for the opening half-an-hour, and the perfect start on 2 minutes saw a Jay Lovett cross headed goal wards and downwards by Andy Atkin. Andy Young made his only error of the game allowing the ball to come free and Nathan Crabb nipped in to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net for 1-0. 4 minutes later captain Paul Armstrong was a contributor to an excellent 3 man move with Darren Budd and Nathan Crabb; unfortunately the skippers shot from the 18 yard box was well wide. With the visitors playing well on reflection the game turned in the 20th minute when another excellent passage of play saw Andy Atkin flick the ball past the last defender and attempt to race after the ball. To these eyes (and most others in the ground) the covering defender was an age late as he took the big No. 9’s legs away, Mr Smith unmoved.
From this moment on the home side grew in confidence and performance. On 31 minutes Darren Baker was held back by a home player 25 yards out. As Darren strode past the outstretched arm the player collapsed in a heap and a free-kick awarded. Ahmed Deen stepped up and struck a wonderful free-kick over the wall and past Lee Hook for the equaliser. Boro almost struck back with Armstrong shooting from an acute angle when a cross to Atkin on the 6 yard box may have been the better option but the 1st half ended 1-1.
 The home side started brightly with Guy Pearson crossing from the right-hand bye-line that evaded and appeared to surprise his striking partners; none prepared to make the final touch. Darren Budd tested Young as a Lovett free-kick was headed across the 18 yard box by Atkin, Budd’s fantastic effort spectacularly saved to the keepers right. Young again saved at point blank from a rare Marc Pullan effort and Matt Crabb warmed the keepers hands from long range.
After 65 minutes Tom Champion blasted high and wide from a corner and was lucky to remain on the pitch as he caught Armstrong so late the ball was off the park before the tackle arrived; Mr Smith unbelievably awarding a free-kick only. Boro had a 2nd excellent penalty claim turned down as a delivery into the box was charged down with hands high but the final 20 minutes firmly belonged to the home side. Pearson thundered a fine long range effort on 71 minutes and Champion tested Hook from the resultant corner. Then on 72 minutes came the decisive strike. Another right-wing corner found Fazakerley beyond the far post. He was allowed the time to supply the ball low back across the goal to pick out Danny Harris unmarked in a congested box; the substitute coolly firing past hook for 2-1. Scott Ramsay and Adam Wilde were thrown into the fray in an attempt to chase the equaliser but as Boro pushed further forward Hook was needed for 2 fine 1-on-1 saves in the dying moments as the home side broke at pace.
As the final whistle sounded around the ground many Boro fans were left to rue the missed chances in the 1st half when the side were very much at their best; the bizarre denial of Atkin a penalty and the referee’s refusal to issue cards for persistent foul play; including deliberate fouls when a player was past his marker. However nothing should be taken away from the Bishop’s Stortford players who forced Hook into several saves and never allowed Boro to settle into a rhythm even after an early away goal.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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