MATCH REPORT | Hemel Town 4 - 1 Bishops Stortford
- Jemma Sear
- Sep 14, 2025
- 3 min read
Written by Dean Scarman
22 September 2025
Emirates FA Cup – Second Qualifying Round
Vauxhall Road (Focus Community Arena), Hemel Hempstead
Goals: Jake Gray (8, 80), George Williams (38), Millar Matthews-Lewis (51) / Saleem Akanbi (90+4)
Yellows: Joe White (54) / Declan Phillips (37), Presley Evans (75)
What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago Bishop’s Stortford went to Vauxhall Road and shut out the then top-of-the-league Hemel to record a famous 1-0 win. Hemel looked complacent and cocky that day, so Stortford must have seen the draw and rubbed their hands together at another upset. It also started the run of losses which ultimately ended Hemel’s promotion push, and Bobby Wilkinson’s tenure at the club.
A much-changed, more confident Hemel side, now managed by the charismatic and forward thinking Lee Allinson, wanted to put the wrongs right against the East Hertfordshire outfit, who are currently 2nd in the Southern League Premier Central. It took only 8 minutes for Hemel to make sure the result wasn’t repeated.
The ball was worked well down the right by Isiah Noel-Williams – he pulled it back to Millar Matthews-Lewis, who forced a good stop from the Stortford ‘keeper, Adam Hayton.
After a few mishits from both sets of players, the ball fell kindly to Jake Gray at the back post, who
fired home from about 4 yards. The charismatic attacking midfielder grabs his first goal of the season after arriving from Hampton & Richmond in the summer.
The pressure didn’t stop there. More chances came for Hemel, with both Matthews-Lewis
and George Williams forcing good saves from Hayton in the space of 2 minutes. Possession and chances were thin on the ground for Bishop’s Stortford, who’s only notable chance was a header from Saleem Akanbi cleared off the line by Williams. For the rest of the first half, the game was played in the middle of the park, both teams working hard to keep any possession. But then things were about to get a lot tougher for the visitors.
In the 37th minute, Noel-Williams held the ball up well again. He was fouled by Declan Phillips who was booked for his troubles, and up stepped George Williams. With one swift movement he tricked everyone including the goalkeeper by bending it into the top-right corner. Hemel had doubled their lead with a sublime effort.
Another chance came and went for Stortford just before half-time, Akanbi breaking the Hemel line and firing a cross which was missed by everyone.
Half Time – Hemel Hempstead Town 2 – 0 Bishop’s Stortford
Stortford came out start of the second half and tried to get at Hemel, and get a foot back in the game, but any chance of a comeback was scuppered 5 minutes after the restart. Hemel work the ball well in the channels again, Devante Stanley working hard to get the ball across to Matthews-Lewis, who this time finishes brilliantly to extend Hemel’s lead and put the tie beyond any doubt.
For the next half-hour, both teams had chances but Hemel always looked more the threat. Luka Chalwell blazed a shot over the bar in Stortford’s best chance, whilst debutant Jevani Brown did the same for Hemel after good work again from Noel-Williams and Kyle Ajayi. 3 minutes later, the icing was put on the cake by Hemel’s star of the show. Picking the ball up about 30 yards out on the left, Jake Gray then proceeded to dribble the ball through the centre of the Stortford defence before finishing neatly to make it 4-0.
Hemel were in the hat.
Saleem Akanbi would get a reward for his effort late-on with a neat finish to give Bishop’s Stortford a consolation, but it was never going to be anymore. Hemel were through, and the embarrassment of 12 months ago has been banished to history.
Man-of-the-Match – Jake Gray (Hemel Hempstead Town) – didn’t stop working and trying to
make something happen, rewarded for his efforts with two really good goals.
Next for Hemel - a home tie against Farnborough on Saturday 20th , and Bishop’s Stortford
travel to Kettering on the same day.
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