The games keep coming as we reach Week Eight in the Southern League Premier Central campaign with the visit of Bishop’s Stortford to Latimer Park on Saturday kick off 15:00.

From being unbeaten in their first seven games of the season, The Blues have a similar recent results to Poppies with three losses, a single win and a draw in the their past five games. Fresh from a 4-1 away loss to Hemel Hempstead in the Emirates FA Cup 2 Round Qualifying, which was preceded by a home 1-0 replay victory against Real Bedford in the last round, The Blues will be seeking a return to winning ways on Saturday.

In the league, from being the initial highflyers, Bishop’s Stortford will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive home defeats (0-1 vs. Leiston and 0-1 vs. Stourbridge) after a stellar start to the season winning their first five games (0-2 vs. Bromsgrove; 6-1 vs AFC Sudbury; 1-0 vs AFC Stamford; 1-2 at Stratford Town and 2-0 at home vs. Royston Town). Their performance leaves them in second place place in the league with fifteen points from a possible twenty-one.

Kettering Town, who have not won in our past three games and are now out of the Emirates FA Cup following the 2-1 defeat at Quorn on Saturday, look to rejuvenate our league form with the visit of The Blues. With a 2-4 loss to Spalding United, a 1-1 draw at Worcester City, a subsequent 1-0 defeat against Harborough Town and two wins (0-2 Real Bedford and 2-1 vs Barwell), the Poppies league form leaves us residing outside the playoff places in sixth place with thirteen points from a possible twenty-one.

All of the top six teams (apart from our opponents The Blues) won their respective Emirates FA Cup ties. League leaders The Bees, who beat Quorn 1-0 at home in their last league outing, are away to ninth placed Leiston on Saturday with third placed Spalding United away at Banbury, fourth placed Quorn at home to Royston Town and Alvechurch in sixth away at Bury Town.

Ravaged by injuries and illness on Saturday, Simon Hollyhead will be hoping to be able to choose from a fit squad for the next two home games against The Blues and on Tuesday when we entertain The Daniels. With the news that Leon Lobjoit is unavailable due to personal matters and Archie Crowther being recalled by King’s Lynn to enable him to join Leamington, further changes in the squad are planned. However, whether new players will be signed before Saturday has yet to be confirmed.

There hasn’t been a draw between the two sides or indeed a 0-0. Therefore, with both sides needing a turn around in recent form it will be a close and hard fought fixture with everything to play for so get behind the Poppies.

Enjoy the game.

UTP!

BISHOP’S STORTFORD

Season V         Comp              F-A     Att:     Poppies Scorers

2003-04           H         RPL                 3-2      821      Difante.3

                        A         RPL                 1-4       561      Fewings

2008-09           H         SS2                  4-2       450      Marna, Seddon.2, Potter

2017-18           H         ESP                 6-0       558      Stevens.2, O’Connor.2, Solkhon (p), Pendley

                        A         ESP                 2-0       355      O’Connor, Hoenes

2024-25           H         PISLPC           2-1       964      Edwards,2 (1p)

                        A         PISLPC           2-0       664      Ranger (p), Pennant

POPPIES WINS:       6                                              GOALS FOR:                        20

BISHOPS WINS:       1                                              GOALS AGAINST:                  9

DRAWS                      0

Most goals in a game for the Poppies v Bishop’s Stortford (3)

Chris Difante (2003-04)

Most goals in career Poppies v Bishop’s Stortford (3)

Chris Difante, Aaron O’Connor.

Played for both clubs (13)

Goalkeepers

Al James Hannigan, Rob Gould, Roy Essandoh, Jordan Fowler, Ellis Remy, Chris Arthur, Aldi Haxhia, Andrew Burns, Lewis Wilson, Ryan Charles, Michael Richens, Aaron Powell (loan), Jonny Edwards.

League debuts (1)

Lee Howey                  03:01:04 (a)

Club debuts (1)

Joe Power                    21:10:08 (h)    League Cup

Bishop’s Stortford players sent off v Kettering Town (2)

Marvel Ekpiteta          2017-18 (h)

Rashawn Scott 2024-25 (h)

BISHOP’S STORTFORD – THE LAST 5 SEASONS

                             LEAG             P          W        D         L         F          A     PTS     POS

2024-25           PISLPC           42        14        9          19        52        62     51        15^th

2023-24           VNLN             46        6          3          37        35     112      21        24

2022-23           PIIPL               42        27        7          8          75        33     88        1^st

2021-22           PIIPL               42        25        12        5          89        33     87        2^nd

2020-21           PIIPL*             6          4          2          0          13        5     14        6^th

*Seasons void due to Covid-19            

BISHOP’S STORTFORD

Manager                    Steve Castle

Ground                       Woodside Park

Nickname                   The Blues

Pos in League 6^th – 12 points from 6 games

Top Leag scorer        3 – Luka Chalwell

THE BLUES SO FAR….

   ** Match Abandoned