9th January 1983 - FAC 3rd round - Boro flashback

[erimus74]

Boro 2 Bishop Stortford 2

Isthmian league side Bishop Stortford, who had reached the FAC 3rd round for the 1st time in their 109 year history, were drawn away to the mighty Boro, who themselves were struggling at the wrong end of the 2nd division

An attendance of 13,207 witnessed a crazy match, when we went in at half 2 nil to the good, only to finish the game thinking how lucky we were to be still in the hat for the 4th round draw & have a replay to play as Stortford fought back to pull the game level & take us to the their place, the Town ground

Things looked fine when with Boro forcing Stortford on the back foot
Stortford unable to clear the ball bouncing around in their penalty area when after numerous attempts to clear the ball, finally the ball fell to Stephen Bell, who infront of goal, tucked the ball past keeper at the holgate end, 1-0

Not much later Stortford, who were putting a bit of pressure on the Boro defence, when the ball was cleared out to Stephen Bell just outside the Boro penalty area, Stephen Bell set off with the ball over the half way line, played the ball out to Joe Bolton, after a few passes the ball fell to Stephen Bell in the box who placed it passed their keeper at the holgate end, 2-0

Boro going in at half time with a good commanding lead against non league opposition & felt confident of progressing to the 4th round

The 2nd half was typical of our season, Bishop fought back to 2-1, Boro were nervous & back peddling & Bishop could sense the panic in our team & pressed for an equaliser, which they got & thoroughly deserved, 2-2

It was now a question of Boro holding out & hoping to still be in the cup tie at FT, as attack after attack from Stortford with heart in your mouth from Boro fans, it really was tough to watch, luckily come the final whistle we were still in the cup & to fight another day

Big Mals team

Jim Platt
Mick Kennedy
Joe Bolton
Mick Baxter
Irving Nattrass
Heine Otto
Darren Wood
Paul Sugrue
Dave Shearer
Ray Hankin
Stephen Bell