Glassgirls Get The Taste For More Cup Glory!

Three goals in each half were enough to see off a resolute visiting side who battled hard throughout and posed problems for the Glassgirls’ defence on occasions.

Hannah Fishwick and Carly Aldred led the way with two goals each, with Aldred in particular a thorn in Harriers' side whenever she got the ball at her feet. Further goals came from Millie Rogers and Alex Nicklin, against her former club, continuing her record of scoring in ever game so far this season.

Stour were quickly into their stride and took the lead with 9 minutes played as Aldred took on and beat three defenders before slamming a shot against the base of the post, with FISHWICK first to react to steer in the loose ball.

The Glassgirls continued to press, with Meg Hadley shooting into Vicky Hall’s arms and then Nicklin seeing an attempt drift wide, but the lead was eventually doubled on 24 minutes as Aldred again caused trouble on the left, and when her cross was spilled by Hall, ROGERS was on hand to tap home.

Harriers reacted with a spell of pressure leading to a skimming shot from Hayley Williams-Packer which Amie Preston was unable to hold, and was relieved to see Sarah Lojko’s follow up blasted over.

Stour picked up the pace as the interval approached, with first Fishwick seeing her free kick bounce off the crossbar, and then Nicklin squeeze a shot just wide in a goalmouth scramble, before FISHWICK made it three almost on the whistle with a calm finish after controlling Gee Thacker’s intelligent cut back.

The break failed to stem Stour’s flow and they almost had a fourth within seconds of the restart as Thacker forced an excellent save from Hall low down at her near post, but NICKLIN did add to the lead shortly afterwards after fine work from Fishwick and Rogers on the edge of the area allowed her to waltz round Hall and stroke the ball into the unguarded net.

Harriers managed to reduce the arrears on the hour as Dani Selmes’ shot from 20 yards thumped against the bar, with LOJKO quickest to the ball to head past Preston.

But the Glassgirls dismissed any notions of a comeback with two more goals in three minutes, both from ALDRED. First she picked herself up off the floor to beat Hall from the penalty spot at the second attempt, after the keeper had beaten away her first effort, and then the winger drilled a low shot into the bottom corner after Fishwick had laid off Cheryl Edwards’ cross.

Stour spurned further chances in the closing stages, but there was action at the other end too as Lojko netted only to be ruled offside, and then Selmes hooked an effort against the crossbar in what turned out to be the final action of the afternoon.

The Glassgirls take their place in the Third Qualifying Round draw, which will be announced at lunchtime on Monday 4th October, with ties to be played on Sunday 24th October.

Next Sunday sees Stourbridge at home again, when Sutton Coldfield Town visit Hingleys. Kick-off is at 2pm, admission £1 (including entry to the 50/50 draw), U16s free. Refreshments will be available.