Rogers Seals Final Date with Harriers

The Glassgirls were behind within three minutes of play, but Rogers levelled up shortly before the half-hour, and then found the net from close range 20 minutes from time to earn a Final tie against Kidderminster Harriers.

Manager Andy Fisher felt it was a case of ‘job done’ afterwards…

“Delighted with the way we fought for that. We’re not used to going behind, although we’re making a habit of it in this competition after Lye in the last round! But we kept our heads, and I thought we were always the better team. The longer it went on, the more I thought it would be us who nicked it.

“It’s a good marker for us after losing to them back in October. We’ve got to come here again at the end of the season and there’s every chance that match could be vital. Now we’ve got this win under our belts we can come into that game with confidence.

“We’ll put the Cup to bed now, and think about the final when it comes around. We’ve got an important League match against Tamworth next Sunday, and that’s where our focus lies now.”

Stourbridge couldn’t have got off to a worse start, with Sutton taking an early lead. Niamh Deasy had already seen a close range shot blocked, but the Glassgirls didn’t pay heed to that warning, and it was DEASY who rose highest to power a header inside the far post from Sophie Levick’s corner.

Stour’s response was positive, taking the game to their opponents, but Sutton might have extended their lead when Levick’s cross-field ball found Charlotte Cresswell in acres of space, but she delayed her shot and Sophie Heaselgrave got across to block.

The Glassgirls first real sight of goal came through Alex Nicklin, whose 15th minute shot landed on the roof of the net, but they continued to press and found on equaliser on 26 minutes as Ruby Meeson’s ball down the right found Cheryl Edwards who got to the byline and rolled the ball back for ROGERS to drill low into the far corner.

Chances continued to be at a premium, with defences largely smothering any threat, and it wasn’t until the 40th minute that Stourbridge went close again as Edwards exchanged passes with Rogers before shooting just wide.

Stour went closer still on the brink of half time, as Ellie McGovern lined up a free kick 20 yards out, which thumped against the inside of Lottie McElroy’s left-hand post and away to safety.

The pattern continued after the break as Nicklin’s free kick was headed narrowly wide by Meeson, whilst at the other end there was a hint of a chance for Sutton as Chloe Finn fired wide from a narrow angle. Rogers, meanwhile, was a persistent thorn in Sutton’s defence, battling for everything and testing McElroy with a first time shot, shortly after firing over from a good position.

Sutton spurned an opportunity to retake the lead with 69 minutes played as another pinpoint delivery from Levick into the 6 yard box was met by the head of Ally Forbes who could only direct the ball over the bar.

And the home side were made to pay for that miss less than two minutes later. Rogers forced an excellent save from McElroy, low down to her left, but the ball wasn’t effectively cleared by Sutton and when Aldred fed it back in some hesitant defending allowed ROGERS the chance to slam it home at the back post.

The striker might have completed a hat trick shortly afterwards as she somehow lost two defenders in the penalty area, but McElroy was able to block again and this time the ball was cleared to safety.

Sutton upped their tempo in the closing stages, but couldn’t create a clear opening, with Heaselgrave and Macey Turvey solid at centre back, and it was Stourbridge who might have added a third in stoppage time as Keren Allen found space to bring another fine save out of McElroy.

The date and venue for the final will be confirmed in due course

STOURBRIDGE LINE-UP

Amie Preston, Ruby Meeson, Meg Hadley, Sophie Heaselgrave, Macey Turvey, Ellie McGovern, Lili-Beth Bown, Alex Nicklin, Carly Aldred, Millie Rogers, Cheryl Edwards.

SUBSTITUTES

Keren Allen (used), Jess Bate, Gee Thacker, Kiera Scarlett (not used)