Bishop's Stortford Swifts FC

With Manager Mickey Nunn unable to make Saturdays fixture and several players unwell, assistant Barry Barnes took the helm and ensured Swifts recent good run continued with a 2-1 away league win at Lakeside. On F.A. Cup weekend, the playing surface was reminiscent of those 60's and 70's F.A Cup matches well remembered by followers of Hereford, Colchester and many others who caused shock results. With the football being played by both sides being spoilt by high winds and the very uneven surface, it was Lakeside who had the upper hand in the first half, eventually profitting on 42 minutes when Harry Smallcombe scored to make it 1-0 at the break. The second half saw Swifts M.O.M Andy Denney controlling the game and after pressure from Lewis Johnson, a Lakeside defender put into his own net for Swifts equaliser on 69 minutes. Swifts now started to get the upper hand and on 81 minutes Andrew Smurthwaite fired home an unstoppable left foot shot from 25yds into the middle of the Lakeside net, with the keeper caught totally off guard. The last 9 minutes saw Lakeside attacking well looking for an equaliser but O'Brien in the Swifts goal held firm with some excellent saves to give his side a good 2-1 away win, that moves Swifts up to 8th in the table with 2 games in hand over several sides above them.
Swifts Sunday side found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes despite dominating the game. Chris Hill pulled 1 back before the break and with the Ende Dynamos keeper having a great game Swifts were unable to put their chances away. The second half saw Swifts take the lead through Dan Gildersleve and still creating many chances, but the Ende keeper kept out all that Swifts through at him. 2 late goals from Ende after poor defending from Swifts, saw them now chasing 2 cups instead of 3. On another day it might have been 7 or 8-3 to Swifts.