It was a scrappy start at the Don Amott Arena and Mickleover's player-manager John McGrath went into the book early on for bringing down Forde as Stour tried to start a counter attack.

Duggan then headed a Tom Tonks free-kick at keeper Lewis King as Stourbridge slightly shaded the early stages. The Glassboys’ best move of the first half saw Jordan Archer help on a Forde ball down the right to Matt Dodd. The winger found Archer in the area but the Mickleover defence made sure he couldn’t get a shot away.

The hosts gradually grew into the game and took the lead in the 24th minute. Some patient Mickleover play saw Pablo Mills feed the ball to veteran Clinton Morrison, he squared across to Bradley Grayson and the striker’s low angled shot beat Matt Gould.

Gould was called upon five minutes later and the keeper made a good save down low to his right to deny the dangerous Grayson following good hold up play from Morrison.

Danny O’Callaghan came closest in the first half for Stourbridge but his effort from a Tonks long throw was well saved by King. Centre-back Duggan was then booked for a body check on Jake Scott as the Glassboys went into the break a goal down.

Whatever boss Gary Hackett said at half time certainly worked and within 13 minutes of the restart, Stour were ahead.

Forde bagged his first Stourbridge goal ten minutes into the second period after Dodd laid the ball back to him following a Tonks cross from the left. Then Duggan put the Glassboys ahead, heading past keeper King from a deep Darryl Westlake free-kick.

Archer almost added a third in the 68th minute but his header from a Tonks long throw went narrowly wide at the far post.

The Glassboys had a close call three minutes later, Scott firing over after Gould and skipper Paul McCone failed to deal with a dangerous low cross.

Stour went close to adding a third again, Archer having a shot well saved before substitute Brandon Hague blazed over following a Forde cross from the right.

Livewire Hague was then stretchered off just nine minutes after coming on. He chased down a ball over the top, collided with home keeper King and required a stretcher to leave the field of play.

Gould did brilliantly to flick Lewis Belgrave’s 25-yarder onto the bar in the 87th minute and the Glassboys withstood some heavy pressure in stoppage time to secure the three points with Hague's injury the only negative.

Stourbridge (4-4-2): Gould; Christophorou, McCone, Duggan, Westlake; Dodd, Forde, Broadhurst, Tonks; Archer, O’Callaghan (Hague 74 (Rowe 83)). Subs not used: Green, Cooke, Kiembi.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

The Glassboys host Lancaster City in the Evo-Stik Premier on Saturday 23rd September. We then travel to Warrington Town on Tuesday 26th September. Kick-off will be at 7.45 pm. Travel details can be found at the following link:

http://www.stourbridgefc.com/teams/61056/news/coach-travel-to-warrington-town-on-26th-sept-1993589.html

YOUTH TEAM

The Youth Team played on Monday evening, beating Hereford 2-1 after extra time in the FA Youth Cup. Their next game is on Monday, September 25 against Halesowen Town.

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

The Glassgirls will be at home to Redditch United on Sunday 24th September in the WMWL. The match kicks off at 2.00 pm at Greenfields and admission will be free.

EVO-STIK PREMIER RESULTS – MONDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER

Shaw Lane 3-2 Workington

EVO-STIK PREMIER RESULTS – TUESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER

Altrincham 6-0 Farsley Celtic
Barwell 2-1 Matlock Town
Grantham Town 1-2 Halesowen Town
Hednesford Town 1-0 Nantwich Town
Lancaster City 4-1 Whitby Town
Marine 3-4 Ashton United
Mickleover Sports 1-2 STOURBRIDGE
Sutton Coldfield Town 1-1 Coalville Town
Witton Albion 4-1 Stalybridge Celtic

FA CUP SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND REPLAY

AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1-3 Alfreton Town