Kelvedon Hatch travelled to Bishops Stortford for their 6th league game of the season looking for their first away win on an overcast Saturday afternoon.

Both teams started brightly and were soon showing some good passing football without either side threatening the opposition’s goal in the earlier stages. On 14 mins a piece of individual skill from Tony Sutton on the left created some space for Dean Walker whose inside pass left James McCayna to hit the perfect cross to the far post where Darren Hickson struck a well timed volley to find the bottom right hand corner giving their goal keeper no chance, 0-1. Swifts rallied well and started to press the Hatch defence who held firm keeping their forwards tightly marked. On 22 mins Swifts enjoyed a passage of play involving a succession of corners that were headed clear by Jimmy Scadden and Gavin Walker as well as two good punches from Hatch keeper, Mark Allan. On 28 mins the Swifts midfielder found some space to strike a shot that hit the Hatch cross bar. On 33 mins Ryan came close for the Hatch after creating some space on the edge of the box and just dragging his shot wide of the right post. The remainder of the half saw Hatch start to get a grip on the game, however no further chances were created and it remained 0-1 at the half time whistle.

The second half saw Hatch come flying out of the blocks with a lot more urgency in their play. On 55 mins Lee Walker gathered the ball in midfield and found Hickson whose first time shot was only parried by their keeper, who then tried to recover the situation but fouled the Hatch forward in his attempt to gather the ball, penalty. Tony Sutton stepped up to calmly convert the penalty sending their keeper the wrong way, 0-2. Hatch now seemed in control of the game with their midfield working tirelessly to keep possession. On 62 mins against the run of play, three Hatch defenders were guilty of not taking their chance to clear the ball. This left the Swifts forward time and space to hit a shot which was deflected into the bottom right hand corner giving the Hatch keeper no chance, 1-2. The Hatch response was immediate with a great solo goal by Ryan who gathered the ball just inside the Swifts half and attacked their defence, beating three defenders on the way before rifling a rocket into the bottom right hand corner, 1-3. Phil Dear replaced Tony Sutton on 65 mins. Hatch now had control of the game and on 70 mins Dave Hopwood was on the end of a Dean Walker cross to skilfully convert from 10 yards, 1-4. On 71 mins Stuart Jones replaced Peter Williams. Hatch continued to chase for more goals with Stuart Jones hitting the bar from a Ryan near post cross. On 74 mins Kevin Morrison replaced James McCayna. On 77 mins Hickson’s shot went just wide of the left hand post. Swifts continued to try and press for a goal without creating any clear cut chances. A Swifts corner in the dying seconds was headed clear by the Hatch defence and the game remained 1-4 until the final whistle.

The travelling Hatch fans had seen a controlled and tireless performance from their team to chalk up their first away win of the season.

James