Glassgirls Seal Quarter-Final Spot!

Two goals from Alex Nicklin (pictured) and one each from Hannah Fishwick and Kiera Scarlett ensured there would be no repeat of the Glassgirls Women’s FA Cup exit against the same opposition three weeks ago, as Stourbridge eased their way to victory.

Manager Andy Fisher rotated his squad for the game, with Keren Allen returning in defence, while Sophie Levick and leading scorer Niamh Deasy were both given a rest, while youngsters Kiera Scarlett and Senna Robinson stepped up from the Reserves onto the bench, where Angie Morley also made a welcome return from injury.

After a delayed kick-off Stour began brightly, with Nicklin dragging a half-volley wide from Zoe Clarke’s cross in the early stages, and they were ahead with 17 minutes played as HANNAH FISHWICK worked her way into the area and, although she was felled, managed to poke the ball past Kira Markwell.

Ellie McGovern shot wide as a free kick found its way through to her at the far post, and Lyndsey Glover was thwarted by a good save from Markham as she broke through the defence, but Stour weren’t having it all their own way as the Posh Women started to find their stride, with Amie Preston having to field a couple of tame efforts and seeing another go wide.

With half time approaching Glover had another chance to extend the lead, but a bobble let her down and she could only fire over, leaving Stour holding a slender but deserved lead at the break.

That lead didn’t remain slender for long though. Within three minutes of the restart the Glassgirls were three goals to the good and had one foot in the next round!

First Glover’s free kick found the head of ALEX NICKLIN and she managed to loop the ball over Markham and into the net, and within 60 seconds the two goalscorers combined for Stourbridge’s third with Fishwick again slicing her way into the area before squaring for ALEX NICKLIN to tap home.

Stour continued to press, with Fishwick drifting a shot wide, Glover firing over from a free kick, and then Mil Rogers doing likewise, whilst the hosts could offer little in response as the game eventually quietened down from that hectic start to the half.

But it was the Glassgirls who would finish the game off in style with a goal for KIERA SCARLETT on her first appearance of the season, latching onto Sarah Hazell’s pass, controlling the ball and slipping it past Markham to round off the scoring.

Stourbridge line-up

Amie Preston, Jess Bate, Zoe Clarke, Sophie Heaselgrave, Keren Allen (Kiera Scarlett 61), Ellie McGovern, Alex Nicklin (Esme Moran 52), Lyndsey Glover (Sarah Hazell 67), Amber Lawrence, Hannah Fishwick (Angie Morley 72), Millie Rogers (Senna Robinson 81).

RESERVES MAKE IT A DOUBLE CELEBRATION!

Meanwhile, the Women’s Reserves were enjoying an equally successful afternoon as their trip to North London ended in a 6-3 win against Enfield Town Reserves to reach their own FAWNL Reserves Plate quarter-finals.

Despite falling two goals behind in the first half, the Reserves battled back to be level at the break through goals from Meg Bailey and a stunning effort from distance from Ruby Meeson.

And they took control of the game after the interval as Bailey put them ahead from the spot after Pip Butcher had been brought down, before Demi Phillips made it 4-2 with her first goal for the Reserves.

Enfield pulled one back to induce a few jitters, but Phillips bagged a second and then Meeson conjured up another screamer from almost as far out as her first goal to complete the scoring on a fabulous weekend for our teams.

Reserves line-up

Ash Walton, Meg Priest, Chelsea Jackson, Louisa Butcher, Charlotte Harvey, Isla McNally, Ruby Meeson, Meg Bailey, Chelsea Hassell, Phillipa Butcher, Grace Rogers.

Substitutes (all used)

Alina Quinard, Demi Phillips, Charlie Atkinson, Ellie Allen.