Stourbridge Fanzine

Report

Stour put four goals past Cradley Town to record a convincing friendly win at Beeches View Avenue.

The Glassboys got off to a flying start when trialist, Shaun Evans, latched onto a flick-on by Linden Dovey and let fly left footed from 25 yards. The sweetly struck shot found the bottom left hand corner of the net to put Stour one up.

On 38 minutes, Stourbridge suffered a set back when Sam Rock limped off, to be replaced by Ryan Rowe.

A minute before half time, Stourbridge doubled their lead. The impressive Evans was crudely felled just outside the area and Dovey stepped up to place a neat low shot to the keeper’s left. The home custodian might have done a bit better with the shot but it found the net and Stour were now in control of the game.

At the start of the second half, Sam Smith replaced Craig Slater at the heart of the Stour defence.

On 50 minutes, a slick move between Bastable and Dovey sent a pass through the middle of the home defence and Rowe steered a low drive into the back of the net from 8 yards.

Gary Hackett then rang the changes with Drew Canavan coming on for Adam Bastable on 50 minutes, Jon Ford coming on for James Dyson on 60 minutes and Craig Slater returned to the action for Ryan Mahon on 70 minutes.

None of this disturbed the Glassboys’ domination and on 81 minutes they stretched their lead to four with a flowing move involving Lee Williams and Dovey, the latter slipping a neat pass through the home defence to Ben Billingham who curled a fine shot over and beyond the home keeper.

Overall, this was an encouraging performance. The Joe Williams/Craig Slater and Sam Smith partnerships were very solid at the heart of the Stour defence and there were fine performances from Evans, Dovey, Rowe, Billingham and Dyson. It was also great to see Adam Bastable back and playing so well.

Next up is Stourport Swifts, this Saturday 8th August, Kick Off at 3.00 pm.

Report by Mark Binner