Bards secure back-to-back victories

STRATFORD Town chalked up back-to-back victories for the first time since the opening week of the season as they beat visitors Bishops Stortford 1-0 in Southern League Premier Central on Saturday.

Head coach Paul Davis handed Will Bapaga his full debut and the former Coventry City midfielder impressed on the right flank.

Callum Ebanks scored the only goal with a 19th minute penalty but missed other chances to wrap up the points while Dan Lafferty had an effort cleared off the line.

The visitors had more of the ball in the second period but struggled to break through a solid Stratford defence.

The win, following on from last weekend’s 1-0 win at Hitchin Town, lifted the Bards up to fourth in the table.

It was a day to forget for Studley in the MFL Premier as they suffered a 5-0 defeat at fellow play-off hopefuls Brocton while in Division Two, Earlswood Town were convincing 4-1 winners at home to Bolehall Swifts with the goals coming from Keelan Reilly, Andy Matthews, Joe Kelso and Harry Dixon.

FC Stratford won 2-1 at Welllington in Division One of the Hellenic League where Sam Rodber and Josh Newbold were on target but Southampton United lost 1-0 at home to Tytherington Rocks.

Elsewhere, Alcester Town were 3-0 winners at home to Ro-Stars Hereford in the Herefordshire Premier League and Shipston Excelsior drew 0-0 with Abingdon United Development in Division One of the Oxfordshire Senior League.