GLASSGIRLS EDGE PAST LYE IN CUP CRACKER!

The home side pushed Stourbridge all the way, and showed why they have been leading the pack chasing the top three for most of the season, but goals from Millie Rogers and Keren Allen (pictured scoring), her first for the club, saw the Glassgirls come out on top after a blood and thunder local derby which provided plenty of entertainment for a healthy crowd.

Manager Andy Fisher was relieved to be in the hat after a tense afternoon.

“We had to show different qualities today, and I thought we showed plenty of patience when it looked for a long time as though a goal might not come.

“Lye have made huge strides since we beat them back in September and we always knew it was going to be tough going to their place.

“There are a few things that aren’t quite clicking for us at the moment, but we worked hard and got the rewards in the end. Nice to see Keren score, she fancies herself in the box at set pieces but it’s never quite come off for her until today, and you could see what it meant.”

The Glassgirls had the better of the opening exchanges, and only a stunning fingertip save from Lauren Smith prevented Rogers from putting Stour ahead on 8 minutes, as she managed to divert the striker’s powerful shot onto the crossbar before grabbing the loose ball as it looked like spinning back into the net.

Within two minutes Smith’s save assumed greater significance as Lye shocked the visitors by taking the lead. A miscued free kick from Amie Preston put the defence in difficulty and although Gee Thacker appeared to have tidied up any danger the ball was given away to OLIVIA ASHFIELD whose first-time shot from 20 yards beat the scrambling Preston before going in off the inside of the post.

Stung by the goal, Stour looked to hit back, but Smith was again there to cling onto Esme Moran’s shot at her near post, before watching a speculative effort from Meg Hadley sail over the bar. Moran forced another fine save from Smith low down at her near post on 29 minutes, and moments later Rogers pulled a shot wide after battling past three defenders.

Stour were struggling to make the most of their territorial dominance on the whole, but came close again as a rare error saw Smith drop Hadley’s cross only for Cheryl Edwards to fire over as she stretched for the loose ball, and the interval came with Fisher’s side still behind.

The Glassgirls picked up where they had left off after the break, but had no better luck in front of goal. Moran saw a shot saved comfortably by Smith eight minutes into the half, and then Alex Nicklin forced another fine save out of the keeper, this time blocking with her feet.

Ruby Meeson hooked over the bar after Carly Aldred’s free kick had only been half cleared, and then a Hadley corner produced minor chaos in the Lye six-yard box, with the ball eventually hacked to safety.

A goal surely had to come, but with time running out it was some relief when ROGERS finally did pull Stour level on 65 minutes. A ball forward was headed on by Aldred into the penalty area, and Rogers muscled her way through before thumping the ball past Smith.

Four minutes later Stourbridge were ahead. Another corner, this time from Rogers on the right, again caused problems for the Lye defence, and with bodies everywhere it was ALLEN who forced the ball home from close range.

Whilst the rapid double didn’t kill the game off Stour were certainly well in control now, and Nicklin might have added a third minutes later as Smith yet again denied Stour with another fine save to her left. Rogers and Dutton both tried shots on the turn which Smith was equal to, and Ellie McGovern rattled the crossbar with a late free kick, whilst at the other end Stour had to deal with a couple of dangerous breakaways before they were able to celebrate a place in the semi-finals.

The draw is awaited and will be confirmed via the website and social media as soon as details are known.
(Photo: Paul Rose Photography}

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

Amie Preston, Gee Thacker, Meg Hadley, Niamh Murphy, Keren Allen, Ellie McGovern, Alex Nicklin, Esme Moran, Carly Aldred, Cheryl Edwards, Millie Rogers.

Substitutes

Ruby Meeson, Connie Dutton Kiera Scarlett (all used), Louisa Butcher (not used).