Darlo Despatched as Glassgirls Make More Cup Progress

Cheryl Edwards (pictured above, opening the scoring) led the way with four goals, while Carly Aldred, Niamh Murphy and Esme Moran also chipped in as Stourbridge overcame a resilient visiting side after a slow start.

Manager Andy Fisher felt it was a case of ‘job done’ for his much-changed outfit.

“Obviously pleased to be through to the next round. It took us a while to get to grips with the way they set up, but our superiority and fitness told in the end, especially after the break when we were able to use some of the strength we had on the bench.

“We’ve got yards in the legs of a few players who needed game time too, so that’s been useful. These games are always difficult against teams from a lower level. Darlaston worked very hard, but they never really threatened us, which was good. We were able to shut out their attacks quite comfortably most of the time and I don’t think there was ever much danger of us not keeping a clean sheet.

“I’m very pleased for Cheryl. She’s worked hard to get back to fitness since she joined us, and she still needs game time, but the quality of her goals today was outstanding. She’s probably the best natural finisher at the club and if we can harness that more than we’ve been able to do it just gives us yet another dimension.”

Fisher made several changes to his staring line-up with last week's gruelling tie at Derby and next Sunday's trip to Cambridge in mind, and there were second half run-outs for Amy Plimmer and Hollie Somers as both continue their return to full fitness.

Stour took time to warm up on a chilly afternoon at Dudley College, and a well-drilled Darlaston offside trap caught the Glassgirls out several times, even before Edwards forced the first save of the game on 11 minutes.

Courteney Murphy saw her shot well held on 23 minutes, before EDWARDS finally broke the defensive line, and the deadlock, with 28 minutes played, running onto a through pass to lift the ball over the Darlaston keeper.

Niamh Murphy could have added a second when her forceful run ended with a shot straight at the keeper, before EDWARDS did grab a second goal five minutes before the break as she again burst through the defence and did well to keep the ball in on the by-line before finding the net from a narrow angle.

Amie Preston dealt comfortably with the visitors’ only shot on target moments before half time, but it was after the interval that Stour stepped the pace up with two goals in as many minutes.

Ellie McGovern came close with a hooked shot on the edge of the six yard box that was well saved as it looked to be heading for the top corner, but Stour were not to be denied a third goal as ALDRED cut in from the right flank, beat two defenders, and found the bottom far corner. Within a couple of minutes it was three, with Aldred involved again. Hannah Fishwick’s ball found her on the right and Fishwick was there again in the box to tee up the cross for EDWARDS to finish first time for her hat trick.

EDWARDS then added her fourth with a simple finish as she ran onto another through ball to slot past the keeper, and NIAMH MURPHY made it six with a slow-motion header which crept inside the post from Aldred's corner.

The final goal was credited to MORAN from another Aldred corner, although the final touch may well have come off a defender.

Stourbridge now await the draw for the last 16 which is expected to be made within the next weeks or so.

Meanwhile, excitement is mounting for next Sunday’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup tie at Cambridge City, with the Glassgirls aiming to extend their record-breaking run into the Third Round. Details of coach travel to the match can be found elsewhere on the website.

(Photo - Anthony Dunn, Focus Dunn Sports Photography)

Stourbridge line-up

Amie Preston, Jess Bate, Sophie Heaselgrave, Louisa Butcher, Ruby Meeson, Niamh Murphy, Ellie McGovern, Courteney Murphy, Esme Moran, Gee Thacker, Cheryl Edwards.

Substitutes

Carly Aldred, Lili-Beth Bown, Hannah Fishwick, Amy Plimmer, Hollie Somers (all used)