A late own goal from Sutton’s Lee Smith, following a great ball in by Luke Shearer, gave the Glassboys another three points following Saturday’s victory at Farsley Celtic.

It was an assured performance from Stour in the first-half with Brad Birch slotting back into the team at left-back, replacing the injured Darryl Westlake.

Birch did well in the 14th minute to intercept a pass on the halfway line before charging down the left flank. However, his deep cross was just too high for Kaiman Anderson.

A minute later, Nicu Carnat found Chris Gallagher on the left-hand side of the penalty area and his low ball in found Anderson but a bobble meant the striker couldn’t find a clean connection.

Anderson was replaced by Shearer in the 18th minute after picking up a knock and Stour took the lead just over ten minutes later.

Gallagher delivered an inviting corner, on-loan Wolves defender Aaron Hayden lost his marker and powered a header into the back of the net for his first Glassboys goal.

Luke Benbow then forced a good save from Matthew Coton before Checkaine Steele’s dangerous cross for Sutton just missed his team-mates.

Leon Broadhurst had a couple of shots from distance go narrowly wide just after the break and then Aaron Forde was denied by Coton after a good run to the edge of the box.

Gallagher was next to go close for Stour but the away side equalised on the hour mark. A high ball into the box was taken down by Justin Richards, he fed his fellow former Glassboy Karl Hawley who found a yard of space and let fly with his shot from the edge of the box which took a big deflection and looped over keeper Matt Gould.

The goal gave Sutton confidence and Louis McGrory then fired just over from a free-kick before Shearer was brought down in the penalty area with no spot-kick awarded.

Tempers boiled over in the 75th minute when a late tackle from Josh Green, another former Stour player, on Hayden left both players on the ground.

Hayden reacted whilst on the floor, however, earning him a red card whilst Green also suffered the same fate when he finally returned to his feet.

Coton did well to make a quick double save from Benbow and substitute Alex Cameron before Stour got a deserved winner in the third minute of the six added on.

Shearer did well down the left following a run out of defence by skipper Paul McCone, delivered a teasing ball into the box and Sutton defender Smith could only divert it into his own net.

It was just rewards for a battling Stour performance against a side fighting for their Evo-Stik Premier lives.

The Glassboys return to action this Wednesday, travelling to Matlock Town, before we head to neighbours Halesowen Town on Saturday.

Stourbridge: Gould, Hayden, Birch (Tonks 78), McCone, Pierpoint, Forde, Gallagher, Broadhurst, Benbow, Anderson (Shearer 18), Carnat (Cameron 72). Subs not used: Antonio, Hawk (GK).

Attendance: 476

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

We travel to Matlock Town this WEDNESDAY night, 28th March (7.45 pm kick-off). Travel details can be found here.

The Easter weekend then sees us visit our near neighbours Halesowen Town on Saturday 31st march (3.00 pm kick-off), before entertaining Stafford Rangers on Easter Monday, 2nd April (3.00 pm kick-off).

NB. There is no club transport to the match at Halesowen.

YOUTH TEAM & ACADEMY

The Youth Team also have a busy week ahead with trips to Redditch United on Tuesday night, 27th March, and Alvechurch on Thursday night, 29th March (both 7.45 pm kick-offs).

The Academy team are at home to Mansfield Town this Wednesday, 28th March (2.00 pm kick-off).

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

The Glassgirls travel to Solihull United on Easter Sunday, 1st April (2.00 pm kick-off). The match takes place at Chelmsley Town FC, Coleshill Road, Marston Green B37 7HW.

The next home game is on Sunday 8th April against Coventry Development at Greenfields (2.00 pm kick-off).

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

Monday 26th March

STOURBRIDGE 2-1 Sutton Coldfield Town

Tuesday 27th March

Altrincham v Shaw Lane
Barwell v Stafford Rangers
Marine v Nantwich Town
Rushall Olympic v Ashton United
Stalybridge Celtic v Grantham Town
Warrington Town v Workington
Whitby Town v Mickleover Sports
Witton Albion v Halesowen Town

Wednesday 28th March

Matlock Town v STOURBRIDGE

Thursday 29th March

Shaw Lane v Sutton Coldfield Town