REPORT: Bishop’s Stortford 3-4 Quorn

Kai Fifield played a starring role off the bench as the Reds came from behind three times to secure a vital three points and remain third in the league table. Deen Master’s third goal of the season drew Quorn level in the first half, before Fifield bagged a brace, with goals either side of a pivotal role in a Stortford own goal as Ryan Beswick’s side put on a thrilling display in Hertfordshire.

Despite dominating the opening quarter of an hour, Quorn found themselves trailing to Fabio Virciglio’s 15th minute deflected effort. The Reds didn’t let their heads drop though and continued to push for a goal. Master finally made the breakthrough, unleashing a ferocious drive from just inside the box in the 28th minute.

Adam Hayton drew plaudits from Beswick for his performance between the sticks for the Blues, making saves from Zak Goodson, Reece Fyfe and twice denying Cain Noble in the first half to keep his side in the game. Beswick himself had a good chance but fired his volley narrowly over from a good position.

The Blues edged ahead again, against the run of play, as Jake Thompson headed back across goal from a Declan Phillips cross shortly before the break. Quorn had played some superb football in the first half and could feel aggrieved to be trailing at the midway point of the match, but were punished for failing to take their chances.

Quorn continued to create numerous chances in the second half, but looked more stretched by their opponents on the counter as the game wore on. The sides continued to trade blows in a back and forth encounter. The pivotal moment came in the 66th minute with the introduction of Fifield. Noble broke on a swift counter and swung a delicious cross into the far post where the Kettering loanee slid in to drag the Reds level.

The parity lasted for 12 minutes as Stortford took the lead for a third time in the 79th minute. Saleem Akbani took advantage of some calamitous play by the Reds as the wet weather continued to deteriorate the playing surface. Quorn didn’t roll over though and drew level for a third time as in the 86th minute they broke at pace again. Fifield played a teasing cross in from the left that saw Charlie Johnson’s attempted clearance fly into his own net to make the score 3-3.

Fifield delivered the final blow in the 90th minute, cutting in from the left and working space on the edge of the box and firing into the bottom corner as Quorn took the lead for the first time in the match. The drama didn’t end there though, as four minutes of stoppage time were announced. The Blues came agonisingly close to an equaliser when a shot from distance hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down onto the goal line. The rebound fell kindly to Nahum Melvin-Lambert, but his header went mercifully over the crossbar.

There’s no rest for the Reds as they make the trip to league-leaders Spalding United on Tuesday, before a home date with Kettering Town on Saturday afternoon at the Stotto Stadium (3pm KO).