Stourbridge Fanzine

Report

A second half slump saw us limp to a 5-1 defeat at Unibond South outfit Rushall Olympic.

The Glassboys suffered a heavy defeat against Rushall Olympic, conceding four second half goals in a 5-1 setback. After two hard training sessions this week, Stourbridge looked heavy legged and faded badly in the second half under bright July sunshine.

Stourbridge actually started the game the brighter side and enjoyed much of the early possession. It was quite a surprise, therefore, when Rushall took the lead on 15 minutes when Craig Gregg fired in a spectacular effort from 30 yards which sailed over Lewis Solly into the net.

The Glassboys hit back straight away and in 2 minutes had levelled. Sam Rock made progress down the right before finding Lyndon Dovey in the area. The Stour number 9 sent a fine drive crashing onto the crossbar. New signing, Lee Chiltern, picked up the rebound, cut inside and fired home from 12 yards with a low right footed drive.

The second half saw Stourbridge fade badly and despite introducing four substitutes, nothing could be done to save the game.

Rushall added four goals without reply, the first on 57 minutes when Tom Starkey rose unmarked to head home an inswinging corner from the right wing. Five minutes later and Ramone Stephens wriggled his way down the right wing and lashed home a cross shot from the narrowest of angles.

On 75 minutes, a Rushall break ended with Tim Jackson driving home from the inside left position and it was 5 in the last minute when Neil Barnfield had a shot blocked but fired home the rebound to complete Stourbridge’s misery.

All in all, this was not Stour’s finest hour but this was only a friendly. Bewdley Town is next on Tuesday 21 July.

Report by: Mark Binner