Goalkeeper Earns The Win - Bishops Stortford vs. Thurrock

The two teams emerge from the tunnel at Woodside Park.

I'd been to a lot of grounds where there was an FA Trophy game and with a lot of Level 5 games being postponed, I headed to Hertfordshire for the Conference South match between Bishops Stortford and Thurrock. Both sides suffered disappointing results in the final qualifying round for the Trophy and so were on league duty. Stortford's ground has now been in use for over a decade, having moved from Rhodes Avenue in the 98-99 season. The home side were placed just outside the play offs and visitors were towards the bottom of the table.

First half action with one of the covered terraces in the background.

The first half hour of the game was very uneventful. There were a few half breaks but no clear cut chances were created. Then in the final 15 minutes of the half the game sprung to life. First of all there was a altercation between the Stortford right back and winger which included a lot of colourful language. The home goalie then made a series of incredible saves. The first one was from a low drive from just outside the box and this led to a succession of corners. From these corners the keeper saved a point blank header and another low shot from just inside the box. The away side were wondering how they'd managed not to be winning at the break. 

The main stand and clubhouse.

Early in the second half, Thurrock were punished for not taking their chances. A cross from the right took a nick off a defender and looped over the keeper and the Stortford player had an easy header to put the home side one up. Again, it was the home keeper who kept his side in front. Several times, Thurrock managed to break through but he was equal to it every time. Stortford had plenty of quick breaks but always failed to find the killer pass. Despite six minutes of injury time they held on for a win.

The other area of covered standing.

As it had been the work Christmas party the night before, I didn't feel like a drink before the game. There are a few pubs close to the station. The Red Cow and Cock Inn are on the road you need to walk along to get to the ground. The Bishops Stortford website claims it's only a twenty minute walk from the station but it is more like thirty. There are several bus routes that run from the station to close to the ground. The club house is quite small (very like the one at Welling) but is friendly and has a good selection of drinks. Trains depart on a regular basis from Liverpool Street and take between thirty five and fifty minutes.

The view from the main stand.