Blast from the past

Andrew Cornell looks back on Blues’ games on July 22^nd

 

Probably the strongest opponents we faced on this date were when we played West Ham United at Rhodes Avenue in 1989. New manager Lou Macari brought a team including, Liam Brady, Paul Ince and Alan Devonshire.

 

Blues played well in the first half, getting through the Hammers defence four times with only the goalkeeper, Allen McKnight, to beat. However the 2^nd Division (i.e. Championship) side made Stortford pay for their temerity by taking a 3 goal lead at half-time.

 

In the 16^th minute Liam Dolan was brought down in the penalty area and Brady stepped up to give West Ham the lead from the penalty. Minutes later Dolan headed home Brady’s free kick to double the lead. Just before half time Paul Ince drove a 25 yard free kick wide of Martin Taylor to make it 3-0.

 

The second half was also dominated by the Hammers with Dolan getting his second and Irish international Dave Kelly heading the 5^th goal.

 

Manager John Radford said after the game “Apart from Frank McAvennie and Alvin Martin it was West Ham’s first team which made it difficult for us. If we had known earlier we would have got more publicity for the match. I think we did well to get through their defence a few times and if we had put away our early chances things might have been different.

 

2017 BSFC 2 Billericay Town 6 – Friendly

 

2014 Needham Market 1 BSFC 0 – Friendly

 

2006 BSFC 4 Romford 1 – Friendly

 

2003 BSFC 8 Enfield Town 1 – Friendly

 

1999 BSFC 4 East Thurrock United 0 – Friendly

 

1989 BSFC 0 West Ham United 5 – Friendly

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