The ground is tucked away in a corner of the town on an industrial estate rather like Adams Park in High Wycombe. Periodically Ryanair jets depart over the ground for pastures new. Supporters idly speculated on their destinations. They could only be warmer and sunnier places.

The home side warmed up with purpose and looked to be a typical big athletic side that predominate in this league. Regent lined up with Turner, new boy Chris Gregan alongside Ribchester, Littlejohn and Osinfolarin at the back, Gilbert, Durling, Barnby and Locke in midfield and Rocha and Blair up front. Ollie Bell was back on the bench with Andy George.

Regent kicked off and got off to a good start with Dom Locke nearly doing to the hosts what visitors have recently done to Regent but his shot went wide. From that point on the game was almost entirely played in the Regent half. Charlie Turner kept the score even with some fine saves but he had no chance when, after twenty minutes, a loose defensive header from a free kick fell to the home forward who had an easy conversion.

Regent were on the back foot and, apart from a cross by Theo Osinfolarin which went behind, all the pressure came from the hosts. After 33 minutes this paid off when another weak clearance was picked up by Stortford’s Foxley who rifled the ball into the top left corner from distance.

Second half
Something had to be done to change the dynamics of the game and Ollie Bell and Andy George were being made ready to come on from hallway through the interval. For ten minutes in the second half it made a difference and Bell’s ability to make a telling pass gave Connor Barnby some half chances. Regent won a series of corners which hinted that if they scored one then they would be back in the game. Ollie Bell nearly caught the goalkeeper out after 60 minutes but none of the half chances could be made to count.

On 65 minutes the game was put to bed when another loose clearance went straight to an unmarked Stortford played who simply put the ball away.

The hoped for come back evaporated and a free header and another powerful volley neither of which gave goalkeeper Turner much chance meant another 5-0 defeat.

Match Verdict
In spite of the optimistic singing of the Regent support the gulf in class between the two sides was plain for all to see. Like most of the sides in contention for the play offs Bishops Stortford play with a level of pace, intensity and organisation which Regent were unable to live with. Tuesday night’s encounter with Potters Bar Town will give an opportunity to bounce back. Hopefully Ollie Bell will be able to play the full 90 minutes because Regent need his creativity to provide opportunities for their front men to feed off.

By Paul Ketchley