The Essex Bhoys made the one-hour trip to Hertfordshire, as we took on Bishop’s Stortford Swifts in more Essex Premier Division action, with hopes of making it consecutive wins after beating Old Southendian 4-1 last weekend.

The starting line-up saw Eamonn Kearney make three changes to last weekend’s winning squad, as Dan Rogers, James Warder and Justin Price were dropped out of this week’s squad, as Patrick Kearney, Callum Broom and Jack Dresner were brought into the starting eleven. However, Archie Armstrong and Charlie McGinn started the afternoon’s clash as a substitute.

The Essex Bhoys set the tone early in their first chance going forward, as Tom Kearney played the ball to Zac Wing, who had the first chance in front of goal, but his shot was comfortably saved.

We continued to start the brightest as great build-up play by Callum Broom and Zac Wing saw the cross from Wing fall to Kearney, but unfortunately his shot was sent comfortably wide.
However, the Swifts would find the breakthrough, which Cameron Pike slotted the ball past Owen Wells to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

Lee Markwick stopped the match due to a Swifts player receiving treatment and he was at the receiving end of being fouled.

After Markwick resumed the match from the short break, the Essex Bhoys started pressing for the equaliser. Tom Kearney played a pinpoint pass in behind the Swifts’ defence, which Wing reacted quickly to win the ball, but the forward’s chance against the Swifts’ goalkeeper was saved, denying us of finding the leveller.

We would find the equaliser before half time, as Kearney capitalised on a defensive error from Swifts, intercepting the ball before racing through on goal and calmly burying his effort through the goalkeeper and into the bottom-right corner.

Half Time: Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 1-1 Catholic United

The start of the second half saw the hosts create the first chance in front of goal, but the shot against Wells saw Catholic’s number one make a good save to his right to keep the scoreline level.

The Catholic United supporters would not be shy to admit how controversial the officiating was throughout the match. However, before the hour mark, we were rewarded with a free kick on the edge of the penalty area when Zac Wing was fouled by a Swifts defender. Despite the promising opportunity, Tom Kearney’s strike was hit with too much power, sending the ball wide.

With 62 minutes on the clock, the official pointed to the penalty spot after Zac Wing was brought down recklessly inside the area. Tom Kearney stepped up, showing nerves of steel to dispatch the spot-kick into the top left corner and fire the Essex Bhoys into the lead for the first time this afternoon.

Catholic only needed three minutes to double their lead, with Fin Woods playing the ball through Swifts back line, where Zac Wing took a few touches inside the area to place the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Closing into the final stages of the match, the introduction of Archie Armstrong and Charlie McGinn saw the pair causing problems for the hosts, as Armstrong won the ball near the byline, whose pass found McGinn, but the Swifts goalkeeper reacted well to deny the substitute of finding a fourth.

With the match comfortably in the 90th minute, we would have one more chance to find a fourth, as Jack Dresner’s free kick saw him strike the ball towards the back post, which the opposition’s goalkeeper reacted well to, fingertipping the ball onto the woodwork.

Full Time: Bishop’s Stortford Swifts 1-3 Catholic United

The three points in Hertfordshire secured a second consecutive win for the Essex Bhoys, securing another huge three points to lift them up to eighth in the Essex Premier Division, having started the afternoon 11th.

Eamonn Kearney’s side will now turn their attention to next Saturday’s home fixture against Hutton Reserves, where the Essex Bhoys will be looking to secure their third consecutive league victory at Len Forge.

Catholic United goalscorers: Tom Kearney 38’, Tom Kearney 62’, Zac Wing 65’
Bishop’s Stortford Swifts goalscorer: Cameron Pike, 15’