St Ives Town 3–2 Bishop's Stortford | International Club Friendly | 29 July 2026

Thriller at the Meadow

St Ives Town came from behind twice to defeat Bishop’s Stortford 3‑2 in a pulsating preseason friendly at the ProWarm Stadium. The Southern League Premier Division Central side showed resilience and attacking flair, with a stoppage‑time winner sealing a memorable victory against a side from a division above.

Early Exchanges

Bishop’s Stortford struck first in the 12th minute. Forward Jake Dunmore latched onto a through ball and slotted past St Ives goalkeeper Charlie Heatley. The home side equalised eight minutes later through Liam McLeish, who converted a low cross from the left. Stortford regained the lead just before half‑time when midfielder Ben Taylor curled a free kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Second Half Drama

St Ives came out with renewed energy after the break. Manager David Bridgwater introduced two substitutes, and the impact was immediate. Winger Camron Gbadebo drew the home side level again in the 67th minute with a powerful drive from the edge of the box. For the next 20 minutes, both teams traded chances. St Ives goalkeeper Heatley made a crucial save from Dunmore in the 82nd minute, tipping the ball onto the crossbar. Deep into stoppage time, with the clock showing 93:15, substitute Jake Hyde met a corner with a glancing header that nestled in the far corner, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters.

Standout Scorers

• Liam McLeish (St Ives): The striker produced a constant threat, scoring one, assisting another, and leading the press from the front.
• Jake Hyde (St Ives): Came off the bench to score the dramatic winner – a classic poacher’s finish.
• Ben Taylor (Bishop’s Stortford): His free‑kick was a moment of real quality, and he controlled the midfield for long spells.

What It Means

For St Ives Town, this result gives a huge morale boost ahead of the new season. The ability to score three goals against a higher‑tier opponent shows the squad’s attacking depth. Bishop’s Stortford will rue missed chances and defensive lapses, but manager Michael Roberts will view it as a useful workout that exposed areas needing attention. The two sides are not scheduled to meet in competitive action, but this friendly added another chapter to a growing rivalry between the clubs.