Mixed emotions for Blues boss Stringer

[FF News]

After a Christmas weekend which saw Bishops Stortford take four points from two games, boss Rod Stringer admitted that he had mixed feelings.

Blues won 2-1 at home against St Albans City on Boxing Day before letting a 2-0 lead slip as they shared the points at Concord Rangers 48 hours later.

“I’d have taken four points from the two games if you’d offered them on Christmas Day, but a win on Monday could’ve been massive, so it’s a bit disappointing to lose a two goal lead” admitted Stringer.

“We did really well against St Albans, it was a battling performance especially as the pitch wasn’t at its best.

“We worked and battled hard and the attitude was good considering the conditions. It was good to have Churchy [Anthony Church] back after he’d flown in the previous day, and I think he gave us something we’ve been missing.rod v whitehawk

“It was nice to get the win, and it was a vital three points. The league is mental this year, if we win a couple of games we’re within touching distance of the play-offs, if we lose a couple we could be sucked into the relegation fight. It’s amazing to see who the bottom three teams are, and sides who are currently mid-table are going to get sucked into the battle.”

Despite Elliot Buchanan taking his tally against Concord to five goals this season, Stringer clearly considered Monday’s draw in Canvey Island to be two points dropped.

“It could’ve been a massive three points for us, and even though we let a two-goal lead slip we should have won it at the end as it was a stonewall penalty as Frankie [Merrifield] was brought down. Mikel Suarez was also brought down by Bailey-Dennis, but we only got one of the three penalty shouts.

rod v staines“Even their players and management thought it was a penalty, but he [the referee] just wouldn’t give us a second one. It could have been a carbon copy of the home game against them, and Elliott should’ve had his second hat-trick of the season against them. Steve King’s given three penalties away against us this season, which is mental.

“They did nothing in the first half and we controlled the second half until [Jay] Dowie hit a wonder goal that he’ll probably never repeat in his career. That gave them belief that they could get something, and Adam [bailey-Dennis] then pops up and scores. So two of our former players have come back to haunt us – that’s football.

“But I’m still pleased with how we played. We’re a bit light player-wise, ideally Suarez and Churchy wouldn’t have played two games in 48 hours, and Morgan [Ferrier] was struggling as well. We had to put Ian Gayle on even though he’s injured as they were in danger of nicking it.

“Danny Cowley may have gone, but a lot of his team are still there and it’s a tough place to take anything from.

“Hopefully we can now move on and take something from St Albans on Saturday.”

Source: www.bsfc.co.uk

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