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Stourbridge 3 Leamington 2 - Match Report

Stourbridge 3 Leamington 2 - Match Report

Nigel Gregg23 Sep 2018 - 15:53
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A stoppage time header from Kaiman Anderson secured Stourbridge a place in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. (READ ON)

Gary Hackett's men will feature in the draw for the F A Cup 3rd Qualifying Round for a sixth successive season after overcoming a late Leamington fight-back to run out 3 - 2 winners over the National League North outfit.

Yet to find the net in the league, but the Emirates F A Cup is bringing out the best in Kaiman Anderson who followed up his goal in the previous round at Highgate that got the ball rolling for the Glassboys with the dramatic winner against the Brakes just when a replay appeared on the cards.

Persistent rain for much of the day and plenty of competition game-wise locally in both the league and non-league spheres kept the crowd down to a rather disappointing 467, but those in attendance saw a typical Stourbridge and Leamington battle which grew in drama and excitement as the afternoon wore on with a crescendo at the finish following a rollercoaster last ten minutes or so.

Stourbridge showed two changes from the starting eleven at Alvechurch with Stuart Pierpoint back at the heart of the defence in place of Darryl Westlake and Robert Thompson-Brown selected ahead of Chekaine Steele with Brad Birch occupying a wider role as a result. Summer triallist Kaouridjane Attoumani was amongst the Stourbridge subs after getting some games under his belt at AFC Wulfrunians in the last month, but both Luke Benbow and Greg Mills missed out through injury. The Glassboys had six former Leamington players in their 17-man squad.

Leamington started the contest on the front-foot and enjoyed the better of the early stages. The Brakes came close to opening the scoring after just three minutes. A long free-kick into the Stourbridge box was headed goalwards by Jack Edwards and Matt Stenson may or may not have got a touch as the ball skipped off the damp surface and beat James Wren but came back off the post before being cleared.

Stourbridge weathered the bright start made by the visitors though and gradually settled into the tie.

In the 28th minute a long diagonal free-kick from Pierpoint saw Aaron Hayden rise highest but his downward header was comfortably collected by Tony Breeden. A minute later another free-kick for the hosts enabled Thompson-Brown to send the ball in from the right for Broadhurst to meet with a header, however his effort ran wide of Breeden's right-hand post.

With 33 minutes played Stourbridge were awarded a free-kick just outside the box and Thompson-Brown's attempt on goal deflected off the wall towards Anderson who could only turn his shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Leamington responded immediately with Joe Clarke feeding Junior English who delivered in a cross from the right that was taken down well by Ahmed Obeng at the back post with his shot then blocked for a corner.

Six minutes before the break the home side had the ball in the back of the net when a shot from Paul McCone was parried by Breeden down to his right with Broadhurst converting the loose ball, however the assistant's flag went up immediately to rule it out.

Leamington pressed again as half-time neared. In the 43rd minute James Bowen broke up a Stourbridge move before advancing and supplying a cross-field pass to Matt Stenson who struck a fine early shot from around 18 yards out that Wren had to push over and then from the resulting corner by Dunbar, there was a chance for Jamie Hood who headed over.

After Thompson-Brown had fired another free-kick over at the one end, Stourbridge were indebted again to Wren moments later at the other end as Stenson met a right-wing cross from Dunbar to draw another good save from the home stopper who pushed his side-foot finish over the bar.

Half-time 0 - 0

After failing to score in their previous two matches, Stourbridge got a stroke of good fortune to end their recent goal drought on 48 minutes as a right-wing cross from Thompson-Brown was inadvertently turned into his own net by visiting defender Jack Lane.

Leamington sought a quick reply. In the 51st minute a right-wing corner was only partially cleared by the home defence and Stenson lifted the ball back goal-wards with his effort dropping on to the roof of the net.

With 65 minutes played Lane went close to atoning for his earlier mistake as he got on the end of an inswinging free-kick from Dunbar taken from just outside the left-hand corner of the box, however his header flew past the post.

In the 69th minute the Glassboys doubled their advantage. Thompson-Brown chased a through ball down the middle from Forde which forced Breeden to come off his line to the edge of his box and although he just reached the ball first, his clearance went straight to Broadhurst who struck his shot first-time from around 35 yards or more back into an unguarded net to make it 2 - 0.

A buoyant home side almost added a third two minutes later as Callum Powell found Anderson and his low angled shot was saved by Breeden down to his right.

Leamington boss Paul Holleran then made a double change and the Brakes found new energy. In the 75th minute Wren had to be alert after Stenson appeared to get in behind the Stour defence, only for the keeper to thwart him on the edge of his box by clearing the ball away.

Stourbridge responded on 81 minutes with Powell testing Breeden with a low drilled free-kick which the keeper did well to hold in the conditions.

Suddenly though Leamington got themselves back into the tie. A cross from Bowen on the left saw Stenson get in a free header that looked to be a goal, however Wren intervened with a brilliant reaction save to palm the ball up before Pierpoint headed the loose ball over for a corner. However the resulting flag-kick saw Stenson rewarded for his persistence. The low ball in from the corner was missed by Birch and skipped through to Stenson who stabbed home at the second attempt.

Two minutes later it was all-square and more pressure from the Warwickshire side brought an equaliser. Another ball into the area was met by Hood and Wren could only push the ball up against the underside of the crossbar with Stenson following in on it to ensure the ball crossed the line.

Leamington might have sensed that there was only going to be one winner at that stage with the late momentum swing or that they had at least done enough for a replay three days later, however a 90th minute substitution for the home side paid immediate dividends for the Glassboys.

With his first touches of the ball, Chekaine Steele, ironically a recent arrival from the Brakes, supplied a sumptuous cross from the left that enabled Anderson to guide a near post header beyond Breeden to the delight of the home faithful to give the Glassboys a last gasp 3 - 2 win.

Stourbridge - Wren, Hayden, Brown, McCone, Pierpoint, Forde, Powell, Broadhurst, Anderson, Thompson-Brown, Birch

Subs: Westlake (for Birch 84 mins), Steele (for Powell 90 mins), Christophorou, Evans, Attoumani, Maher (not used)

Booked - Forde, Hayden

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