Presley Evans scores his first Bishop’s Stortford goal in Herts Senior Cup defeat to St Albans City

Presley Evans scored his first Bishop’s Stortford goal in a 2-1 home defeat to St Albans City in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night (November 19).

The second-half substitute pulled one back three minutes from time as the Blues were beaten in the second-round tie by their Vanarama National League South opponents.

The hosts lost defender Mark Haines to injury after just eight minutes and, two minutes later, the visitors went ahead as Dom Hutchinson volleyed in from Fin Wilkinson’s flick.

Blues goalkeeper Elliot Krasniqi made a great low save to deny Wilkinson before Udoka Chima and Gio Rasuli both went close for the away side.

Charlie Castle had a decent curling effort for the hosts just before the break which drifted just wide of the far post.

Krasniqi made two saves to thwart Romeo Akinola twice after the interval while Jack Roberts had an effort from the edge of the box repelled by Saints shot-stopper Michael Johnson.

Stortford were unhappy when Nick Ralfe doubled the visitors’ lead in the 70th minute as the ball struck referee Jack Bloxham in the build-up.

Evans reduced the arrears in the closing stages by opening his Blues account, but his side could not find an equaliser.

Stortford entertain Barwell in Pitching In Southern League, Premier Central this Saturday (November 23).

Blues: Krasniqi, Dasilva, Thompson, Haines (Oluwatimilehin 8), Castle, Moutawafiq (Forde 46), Collins (Evans 57, booked 84), Roberts (booked 43), Virciglio (Church 46), Rotimi, Amu. Not used: Young.

St Albans City: Johnson, Sweet (James 81, booked 90+2), Moore (Bigg 85), Smith, Chima, Miccio, Ralfe, Rasulo, Wilkinson (Jeffers 83), Akinola (booked 25), Hutchinson (Banton 60). Not used: Castiglione.

Attendance: 185.