A long trip to Hertfordshire saw us face Bishop Stortford in our first ever visit to the RDA Stadium. We were boosted by several returning faces with Ollie Taylor, Harvey Portman and Alex Moore returning from injury whilst Alex Bradley and Jordaan Brown were over the illnesses that kept them out of last week's FA Cup game.

Joel Kettle was missing due to the imminent arrival of his first child with Jake Cooper being called up from Stourbridge Standard after some impressive performances. We were also boosted by the arrival of Souleyman Mandey on loan from West Bromwich Albion and he slotted straight into our midfield.

The hosts started brightly and would create the opening chance just a minute in as Kian Harness took aim from 25 yards but Taylor had it covered as it curled round his post.

We grew into the game quickly as Miro Pais’ cross was cleared into Mandey’s path who saw an effort blocked with the rebound falling to Verma who couldn’t get his shot off through a crowded penalty area before Jourdain Masidi’s cross was just too high for Freemantle inside the area.

We would take the lead in the sixth minute through SOULEYMAN MANDEY who intercepted a pass just outside the area before driving into the area and slotting it cooly under the keeper.

We continued to look good during the first half with Bavanganga forcing the keeper to hold his shot but the hosts were showing some good sides as Bavanganga blocked a shot before an equaliser was ruled out for offside.

Pais was looking dangerous down the wing as he fired a shot just over the bar before it was Portman’s turn to find space inside the area but his shot/ cross rose over the target.

Dom Lewis, who put in an excellent midfield display, would create the next opportunity as he slid Freemantle in on goal but an last ditch tackle from the Stortford skipper Thompson would prevent him getting a shot off.

Chances would continue to come for the Glassboys aa Verma had a shot blocked before Freemantle was ruled offside and Lewis forced Binns into an excellent stop. Freemantle had another chance to extend our lead when he headed just over before Lewis had he last opening of the half but another good challenge prevented him getting a shot off.

Half Time: Bishop Stortford 0-1 Stourbridge FC

We were forced into one change as the second half got underway with Elliott Durell replacing Alex Moore.

We started the second half well with Durell delivering a good corner which fell to Mandey who could only fire wide but the hosts would being to get back into proceedings as Taylor was forced to claim a cross before Bavangnaga made a good block as Stortford broke down the line.

The warning signs continued as Roberts headed just over from Da Silva’s cross before they made the pressure count when Roberts would square the ball across the box to Kian Harness who would finish well under very little pressure at the far post.

Just four minutes later, they would flip the game on its head and take the lead when we were caught in possession again and Taylor parried a shot into the path of Charlie Castle who headed home with ease.

Our second change saw our goalscorer Souleyman Mandey replaced by Alex Bradley.

Stortford continued to press us and cause problems and they looked to be in on goal not long after but Portman was on hand to out strength the oncoming forward and prevent them extending their lead.

Our third change saw Miro Pais replaced by Callum Coyle with 73 minutes played before Elliott Durrell was replaced by Toumani Sidibe a few minutes later.

We had two late opportunities to equalise as Brown headed wide from Bradley’s freekick before Verma cut inside and fired wide.

There was late drama as Portman and Scott got into an altercation, resulting in a mass confrontation. Both players were booked before Pais was sent off his part after coming off the bench to protect his teammate.

When play restarted, Stortford would put the game to bed with their third goal of the afternoon when they broke quickly down our left and Taylor could only push the shot into Scott’s path who scored from close range.

Full time: Bishops Stortford 3-1 Stourbridge FC

Bishop Stortford: 1 Charlie Binns 2 Cole Dasilva 3 Luke Warner-Eley 4 Olumide Oluwatimilehin 5 Jake Thompson (C) 7 Charlie Castle 8 Kian Harness 11 Jack Roberts 15 Ryan Charles 16 Jaden Ogwuazor 18 Erin Amu. Subs: 6 Mark Haines 10 Brad Russell 12 Fabio Virciglio 14 Isa Rotini 20 Rashawn Scott

Stourbridge FC: 1 Ollie Taylor 3 Harvey Portman 4 Souleyman Mandey 5 Jordaan Brown 6 Jessy Bavanganga 7 Jai Verma 8 Alex Moore (C) 9 Ethan Freemantle 11 Miro Pais 12 Jourdain Masidi 19 Dom Lewis. Subs: 2 Jake Cooper 10 Alex Bradley 14 Toumani Sidibe 17 Callum Coyle 20 Elliott Durrell