Match Preview | Bishop’s Stortford (A)

Halesowen make the trip to Bishop’s Stortford looking to continue the strong form over the past week

Head to Head

There have been four meetings between the two sides, the first coming in 1987. The Yeltz are yet to lose one of the four matches, and failed to beat Stortford for the first time in the reverse fixture. The last meeting, back in November, was a classic. The visitors on the day took the lead through a 14th minute chipped Brad Russell effort. The Yeltz were given a red card, as Rob Evans took down Saleem Akanbi in the box which was dispatched by Cole Dasilva. The away team added a third just over 10 minutes after half-time through a Jake Thompson header from a free kick. On the hour mark, Stortford were shown a red card as goalscorer Thompson was sent off. We reduced the deficit on 65 minutes through Alex Gudger, but Stortford added a fourth later courtesy of Dasilva’s second. Just as defeat looked a certainty, a Jason Cowley touch home, Charlie Wragg tap in, and Cowley penalty, completed an unlikely turnaround to allow us to come away with a point.


Opposition Preview

Adam Hayton – Goalkeeper

The 21 year old signed in the summer from League One side Barnsley. The shotstopper started last season in the Barnsley academy before spending two league games on loan at step 4 Avro. Hayton ended the season at then step 3 Matlock Town, where he kept one clean sheet in seven league appearances. This season, Hayton has played in all 30 league games for Stortford, keeping nine clean sheets, but will be absent this weekend due to a suspension.

Cole Dasilva – Left Back

The 26 year old signed in the summer of 24 from then step 3 Bedford Town. The defender featured in all but one of their league games last season, scoring four goals. This season, Dasilva has scored nine goals (five of which from the spot) in 27 league games, all of which starts.

Dempsey Crace – Centre Back

The 17 year old signed last month on loan from League Two side Cambridge United. The young centre half featured in the Cambridge academy last season, and at the start of this season, and since his arrival at Bishop’s Stortford has made six league appearances, four of which in the XI. 

Harry Forde – Centre Back

The 20 year old signed in the summer of 24 from step 5 side Potton United. Forde previously played for Steve Castle at Royston Town, and featured in five league games last season for Stortford. This season, Forde has been more of an influence in the side, having played 18 league games, just three of which in the starting XI.

Mark Haines – Centre Back

The 36 year old signed in the summer of 2018 from step 2 Chelmsford. The experienced centre half made 33 league appearances last season for the Blues, and scored once. This season, Haines has made 22 league appearances, 19 of which in the XI.

Charlie Johnson – Centre Back

The 25 year old signed in October from fellow step 3 side Berkhamsted. The centre half featured in 13 league games last season for Royston Town, before making 20 league appearances in Berkhamsted’s promotion to step 3. Johnson featured in nine league games for Berkhamsted this season, before moving to Stortford where he has made 18 league appearances, all of which starts. 

Daivi Kreka – Centre Back

The 21 year old signed last month from step 4 Brantham Athletic. The young centre half born in Albania featured 12 times in the league for step 4 Basildon United on loan from Aldershot Town. This season, Kreka made three league appearances for Brantham, before his move to Stortford where he has made six league appearances, just one of which in the XI.

Jake Thompson – Centre Back

The 27 year old signed in the summer of 24 from step 4 Brightlingsea Regent. The centre half featured in all but one of Stortford’s league games last season, scoring twice in the process. This season, Thompson has three goals this season, including the reverse fixture, and has featured in all but one of their league games, 25 of which starts.

Leon Davies – Right Back

The 26 year old signed in the summer after a year away from action. The former Cambridge United academy man has featured in all but one of their league games, and all but one of them have been in the XI.

Jack Smith – Defensive Midfielder

The 24 year old signed in the summer from step 2 Enfield Town. The defensive midfielder featured in 19 National League South games last season, and since his arrival at the Blues, has made made 23 league appearances, all but two of which in the XI.

Charlie Castle – Central Midfielder

The 21 year old signed in the summer of 24 from step 5 Ely City after a spell at Royston Town. The young midfielder has featured 11 times this season in the league, four of which starts.

Obindinma Onyeagwara – Attacking Midfielder

The 21 year old signed in the summer from step 4 Biggleswade Town. The midfielder scored three goals in 27 league appearances for the relegated side last season. This season, Onyeagwara has scored twice in 25 league appearances, 19 of which starts.

Brad Russell – Attacking Midfielder

The 26 year old side in the summer of 24 from Brighlingsea. The midfielder scored eight goals in 35 league appearances last season. This season, Russell has scored scored twice, including in the reverse fixture, and has made 20 league appearances, all but two of which in the XI.

Fabio Virciglio – Left Winger

The 22 year old signed in the summer of 24 from Royston Town. The wide man/playmaker scored twice in 34 league appearances last season, and this season has scored four goals and featured in all but two of their league games, and all but two of them have been starts.

Charlie Boatwright-Collier – Striker

The 19 year old has come through the club’s academy, scored once and featured four times this season in the league, half of which starts.

Frank Norris – Striker

The 18 year old signed earlier this month on loan from League Two side Stevenage. The striker featured three times in the FA Youth Cup for Stevenage’s academy, and since his arrival at Bishop’s Stortford has made three league appearances, all of which starts.

Victor Aiye – Right Winger

The 24 year old signed last month from step 4 side VCD Athletic. The forward scored five goals in 10 league appearances for VCD, and since his arrival at Stortford has made seven league appearances, two of which starts.


Statistical Insight

Bishop’s Stortford

  • Only Kettering Town (18), Quorn (17) & Alvechurch (16) have had more goalscorers this season in the Southern Premier Central than Bishop’s Stortford’s 15.
  • Only Harborough Town (13) have had more goals from defenders in the Southern Premier Central this season than Bishop’s Stortford’s 12.
  • Only Stamford (19), AFC Sudbury (14) & Barwell (14) have conceded more first half goals at home this season in the Southern Premier Central than Bishop’s Stortford’s 13.
  • Only Stamford (12), us (11) & AFC Sudbury (10) have had more games at home this season without a first half goal in the Southern Premier Central than Bishop’s Stortford’s 9.

Halesowen

  • Only Spalding United (46) have scored more second half goals this season in the Southern Premier Central than our 40.
  • Only Spalding United (20) have scored more goals in the Southern Premier Central this season after the 76th minute than our 18.
  • No other side in the Southern Premier Central this season have conceded more goals in the first 15 minutes than our 13.
  • Only Stamford (21), Barwell, Stourbridge & AFC Sudbury (19) & Alvechurch (18) have had more games this season in the Southern Premier Central without a first half goal than our 16.