Monday night’s home defeat against Farsley Celtic continued the Glassboys’ recent frustrating slump and extended the winless run in the League to five games, with only two points taken from those fixtures, and no win since the back-to-back 4-0 and 5-0 wins against Marine and Rushall Olympic over the New Year weekend.

Stour remain 14th in the table, but the play-offs now appear more distant than ever and the immediate priority is to regain some form and confidence going into the last couple of months of the season. With a semi-final to look forward to in the Birmingham Senior Cup, there is still plenty to play for.

Our visitors at the weekend are experiencing similar frustrations. Top half finishers in each of the last three seasons – though never higher than seventh – they presently sit level on points with Stourbridge, and one place lower in the table on goal difference, having played a game more.

They too are without a win in five League fixtures, since they defeated Halesowen Town 3-1 at the Grove at the end of December, and their last three away games have resulted in defeat against Warrington Town (0-1), Farsley Celtic (0-3) and at Barwell (1-2).

However, despite those recent results they have still won more games than they have lost away from home, and with the Division’s leading scorer, Liam Hardy, in their ranks they will certainly pose a threat.

The recent downturn has seen them part company with manager Martin McIntosh after six years in the job, following that loss to Barwell, and his former assistant Tim Ryan is temporarily in charge whilst the Bucks seek a successor. The postponement of last Saturday’s home fixture against leaders Altrincham means that this weekend’s fixture will be Ryan’s first chance to impress.

The game will be the first of two meetings between the teams in quick succession, with Stour due to travel to Buxton’s Silverlands Stadium a week later on Saturday 24th February.

Last season’s encounter at the War Memorial Ground appeared to be progressing to a routine Glassboys win, as a brace from Luke Benbow and a third goal from Kayelden Brown established a 3-0 lead. However, Bradley Grayson struck twice inside the last eight minutes and Stour were ultimately relieved to hear the final whistle. Both previous meetings at Amblecote had ended in 3-0 scorelines, Stour winning in 2015/16, and Buxton the season prior to that.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 3.00 pm.

ADMISSION PRICES

Our normal admission prices will apply for Saturday’s match:

Adults - £10
Over 65s - £7
13 to 18 yrs old - £5
Under 13s – FREE
(with paying adult, over 65 or 16 to 18 yr old)

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

The Glassboys make the return journey to Buxton next Saturday, 24th February (3.00 pm kick-off), and then travel to Altrincham on Tuesday 27th February (7.45 pm kick-off). Travel details for both matches can be found here.

Our next home game is on Saturday, 3rd March, when our visitors will be Sutton Coldfield Town (3.00 pm kick-off).

YOUTH TEAM & ACADEMY

The Youth Team host Wednesfield on Monday evening (19th February) in the Worcestershire County Youth Cup (7.45 pm).

Our Academy youngsters do not play again until Wednesday, 28th February when they will entertain Boldmere St Michaels (2.00 pm kick-off).

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

The Glassgirls are away to Coventry Development this Sunday, 18th February, in a West Midlands League fixture (2.00 pm kick-off). Their next home game is on Sunday 4th March, also against Coventry Development.

FIXTURES – SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY

Altrincham v Sutton Coldfield Town
Barwell v Ashton United
Coalville Town v Lancaster City
Farsley Celtic v Stafford Rangers
Marine v Halesowen Town
Matlock Town v Witton Albion
Rushall Olympic v Workington
Stalybridge Celtic v Hednesford Town
STOURBRIDGE v Buxton
Warrington Town v Mickleover Sports
Whitby Town v Nantwich Town