Last updated at 13:02, Monday, 23 January 2012

Bishop's Stortford 1 Workington Reds 1: You would be hard pressed to find a better goal than David Hewson’s spectacular overhead kick which gave Workington a 16th-minute lead in this relegation tussle with Bishop's Stortford.

Dave Hewson

Already injured at that point, Hewson propelled himself in mid-air and caught the ball sweetly to score a technically wonderful goal against the run of play.

But it wasn’t enough to win this first ever meeting of clubs 300 miles apart.

Bishop’s grabbed a late, late equaliser to make that long journey back to Cumbria a little more uncomfortable than it could have been.

It left manager Darren Edmondson somewhat frustrated as he went into the game with his strongest available squad for some time.

“The late goal was disappointing – not so much because it was a penalty but more the fact that we were seconds away from three massive points and we could not complete the job.”

He added: “We did not move the ball well enough but the players showed great determination and were crestfallen afterwards to concede so late in the game.”

The Hertfordshire side made an explosive start and Reds had to show great resilience to stay in the contest.

Scott Shulton had the first shot of note but it was bravely blocked by Reds’ on-loan defender Paul Johnson.

That was to set the tone for much of the game with Johnson and fellow defenders Kyle May, Lee Andrews and Gari Rowntree working overtime to protect Aaran Taylor’s goal.

Shulton was involved soon after but his well-struck shot was pushed away by the diving Taylor and the same player saw another effort hit the side-netting and then he was wide of the target with a free kick.

A corner from Reece Prestedge was deflected onto the post as Taylor’s goal, somehow, remained intact.

Little had been seen of Reds as an attacking force in the opening quarter of an hour apart from an Anthony Wright shot which was blocked on the edge of the area.

Then, following their first corner of the game, Reds had the audacity to take the lead.

Mark Boyd floated the ball into the danger area but the home defence could only partially clear to the edge of the area where the acrobatic Hewson launched himself off the ground to score the best goal of his career.

Watch Dave Hewson's goal. Article continues below...

The wonder goal was even more remarkable because the Reds skipper was hobbling after an earlier collision with Stortford defender Alli Abdullahi.

The hip injury was so bad that Hewson was substituted shortly after his moment of glory.

The goal certainly quelled the enthusiastic start from the hosts but they almost equalised following another corner with Abdullahi heading narrowly over the bar.

Responding to a verbal half time lashing from their passionate manager, Rod Stringer, the home side started the second half as they had the first.

May and Johnson were called upon to make goal-saving tackles to thwart Reneil Sappleton and Dwight Gayle in quick succession and it was then Andrews’ turn to save the day as he blocked another Gayle shot.

Reds’ front six had been ineffective for much of the game but at least chances were being created in the second half.

Phil McLuckie was just wide of target with one effort and Gareth Arnison actually forced Jordan Archer into his first save of note midway through the second period.

Archer then excelled with a fine save to deny substitute Jonny Wright whose volley from 20 yards almost gave Reds that crucial second goal.

One suspected that an equaliser was imminent though, and it almost came via Gayle’s free kick with the ball narrowly missing the target.

Gayle, Stortford’s top scorer, had the final say when he won a 90th-minute penalty.

Rowntree appeared to push the lively front man despite winning the ball cleanly in the tackle and Norfolk official Mike George wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

Gayle stepped up to send Taylor the wrong way and convert his 23rd goal of a highly successful personal campaign.

Bishop’s Stortford: Archer, Jones, Dunbar (Subolu, 85), Abdullahi (Dadson, 78), Haines, Anderson, Gayle, Johnson, Sappleton, Prestedge, Shulton. Sub: Milton, Stewart, Wickham (not used).

Workington: Taylor, Andrews, Rowntree, May, Johnson, Boyd (Green, 75), McLuckie, Hewson (Main, 26), McNiven (Wright J, 71), Arnison, Wright A. Subs: Simpson, Sloan (not used)

Referee: Mr M George

Attendance: 466

Man of the match: Only two contenders - the toss of a coin between Kyle May and his sidekick, Paul Johnson.

First published at 11:30, Monday, 23 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk