After a promising pre-season, the Men’s 1st XI travelled to Bishop Stortford looking for 3 points to start their promotion push.
A strong first quarter from Upminster saw Tobi Dunlea link up well early on with Alex Mitchell, the latter setting up a first time finish from Callum Berry that secured a 1-0 lead at half time.
Jamie O’Dell completed a well worked shot corner routine to double Upminster’s lead shortly, after some fine attacking from Tom Dance down the right hand side.
As the heat wore both teams down later in the match, Bishop Stortford threatened briefly with a deflected goal to bring the score back to 2-1. An unfortunate penalty flick decision against Upminster looked to have spoiled an otherwise defensively sound performance, but Phil Dixon expertly saved Stortford’s attempt whilst also making a string of saves in the last five minutes to deny Stortford’s search for an equaliser.
2-1 final score.
MOTM – Callum Berry
DOTM – Phil Dixon
