Blast from the past
Andrew Cornell looks back on Blues games on August 1st
Only friendlies on this date apart from a Herts Charity Cup game, the first competitive game in a season which would see us reach the FA Cup 1st round, 2013.
STRIKER Kyle Vassell grabbed a hat-trick as the Blues thrashed Ryman League Division One North side Ware 6-1 at home in the Herts Charity Cup quarter-final. There was a two division difference between the clubs in the non-league pyramid but at times the gap looked bigger than that in the clash on Thursday night. Stortford’s movement, superior fitness and crisp
finishing ultimately proved too much for their gallant East Herts opponents.
It started scrappily and Ware had the odd moment of promise without threatening the home goal.
Stortford settled and Matt Johnson and Vassell forced smart saves from Ware keeper Dominic Russo. Vassell then scored his first two goals on 39 and 45 minutes. He robbed a visitors’ defender before going on to shoot past Russo from the edge of the box before he lobbed the Ware keeper with an exquisite chip.
Stortford led 2-0 at half-time during which Ware boss Nicky Ironton was sent to the stands after arguing with match ref David Rock. Blues midfielder Matt Johnson nodded against the visitors’ far post, before Ware halved the deficit on 66 minutes.
A well-worked free-kick from the right by substitute Spencer Knight was flicked on and Liam Foster nodded in powerfully at the far post. Vassell completed his hat-trick three minutes later.
Substitute Steve Cawley’s pass cleverly released Vassell who took the ball on and dropped his shoulder beating a defender before shooting consummately from the left into the far corner.
Stortford went 4-1 up on 74 minutes, Kyle Asante finishing neatly after a sublime first touch by him.Shortly after, Asante crossed from the right for Ashley Miller to head home powerfully. The scoring was rounded off on 85 minutes when Callum McNaughton neatly volleyed in a Johnny Herd free-kick from the left.
2017  Thurrock 3 BSFC 0 – Friendly
2015 BSFC 2 Leyton Orient 4 – Friendly
2013 BSFC 6 Ware 1 – Herts Charity Cup 1st Round
Cowler, Miller, Herd, Allen, Francis, McNaughton, Johnson, Church, Akurang, Vassell, Prestedge Subs: Collins, Cawley, Waller-Lassen, Baker, Asante
Scorers: Vassell (3), Asante, Miller, McNaughton
2012 BSFC 4 Stevenage 2 – Friendly
2009 Bedford Town 0 BSFC 1 – Friendly
1998 Newmarket Town 3 BSFC 1 – Friendly
1996 BSFC 2 Norwich City 4 – Friendly
1987 BSFC 3 Tring Town 0 – Friendly