Darlington 0 Bishop's Stortford 2

Scorers: Charles (9 mins, 0-1), Sow (43 mins, 0-2)

Attendance 1305

Thanks to our match sponsors, Cadec

https://www.cadec.co.uk/

and our matchball sponsors, Carol and Steve Charlton

Darlington went down 2-0 in their bottom of the table clash against Bishop's Stortford at Blackwell Meadows.

Quakers lost to two first half goals, and despite having the majority of the play in the second half , couldn't break their visitors down, even though they were reduced to ten men midway through the second half. The result was a big disappointment after the win at Gloucester in the previous game.

Here's the reaction of manager Josh Gowling:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/the-expectation-was-too-much-and-we-froze

and here are the goals:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/goals-darlington-v-bishops-stortford

The visitors had the first real attempt of the game on 4 minutes, but Kassarate’s effort was well blocked by Hayden Lindley.

They forced two corners in a minute, and Tommy Taylor confidently punched the second one away.

But Quakers nearly conceded a goal from a long throw on 8 minutes that was flicked on for Zain Walker to head wide from six yards out.

The visitors went in front on 9 minutes when a high ball forward caught the Darlington defence flatfooted, and Ryan Charles got behind the defence and lobbed Taylor.

Quakers nearly levelled with their first effort on 17 minutes. Ben Hedley sent Cameron Salkeld away up the left, and he pulled the ball back for Will Hatfield, whose left foot effort from six yards was blocked by the outstretched right leg of keeper Jack Giddens.

It then took a great interception by Di Trollio to stop Hatfield breaking through on a Jonny Ngandu pass.

Quakers had a chance on 24 minutes when Tom Platt won the ball in midfield and sent Salkeld away. In turn he laid the ball off for Jonny Ngandu, who fired over the top.

Bishop’s nearly got a second on 26 minutes when Darren Foxley won possession, ran forward and hit a low left foot shot that Taylor finger tipped around the post, although the referee gave a goal kick.

Quakers steadily took control of the game with more possession, and created a chance from a free kick on 37 minutes. Hedley’s low free kick was blocked and came out to Lindley, whose effort was blocked by a defender.

But the visitors went 2-0 up just on half time when the home defence failed to clear a left wing cross by Darren Foxley, and Serigne Sow forced the ball home from a few yards out.

Half time 0-2

Quakers started the second half with Ngandu turning on a throw in from the right, and hitting a left foot shot that Giddens saved, then Rowe made good ground down the right, but his cross went over everybody.

Brad Williams came on for Ngandu on 62 minutes.

Bishop’s were reduced to ten men on 63 minutes when Walker was shown a red card for a foul on Lawlor on the halfway line.

Ben Liddle came on for Tom Platt on 64 minutes.

The visitors nearly broke away and got a third on 67 minutes when Alemanji took on the Darlington defence on his own, but his effort was deflected for a corner.

Quakers made their third sub on 72 minutes when Jarrett Rivers replaced Hayden Lindley.

Quakers nearly got one back when Rowe raced forward and hit a right foot shot that Giddens pushed over the bar.

Then Williams raced into the box and set up Rivers, whose right foot shot clipped the top of the bar.

However, Quakers couldn't break the visiting defence down again.

Full time:

Darlington 0 Bishop's Stortford 2

Team: Taylor, Rowe, Lees, Lawlor, Hedley, Platt (sub Liddle 63), Lindley (sub Rivers 72), Hatfield, Salkeld, Ngandu (sub Williams 60), Asante

Subs; Sukar, Griffiths,

Booking: Hedley

Bishop's Stortford:

Giddens, Di Trollio, Kassarate, Beadle, Crichlow, Foxley, Olufemi, Oke, Sow, Charles, Walker

Subs: Haines, Alemanji, Greene, Falase, Alexander