Rogers Double Caps Glassgirls Win

The Glassgirls laboured without reward for much of the first half but held a narrow 1-0 lead at the break, only to be pegged back early in the second period. However, three goals in the final 15 minutes, including a double from Millie Rogers (pictured) saw Stour pull clear to maintain their position at the top of the table ahead of Sutton on goal difference.

Gee Thacker went close with an early shot straight at Erica Turner in the home goal, and Millie Rogers was just off target as she met Carly Aldred’s low cross. Tamworth, meanwhile, caused trouble with the pace of Olivia Woolston on the break and she was denied by good covering defence from Sophie Heaselgrave as she bore down on goal.

Stour were largely confined to shots from distance, with Thacker, Alex Nicklin, Niamh Murphy and Aldred all missing the target, whilst Preston had to be alert to deny Woolston at her near post when the home side did threaten.

But it was the Glassgirls who made the breakthrough four minutes before half time when Aldred got to the by-line and pulled the ball back for NICKLIN to guide beyond Turner.

Meg Hadley almost made it two in stoppage time, fading a shot narrowly wide of the far post, but Stour were stunned shortly after the interval as Tamworth drew level on 54 minutes. Aimee Taylor pounced on a loose ball in midfield to break clear, before being felled from behind by Heaselgrave, who was relieved to see only a yellow card. The punishment came via the boot of ELLIE MARTIN, however, as she thundered the free kick past the wall and beyond Preston.

Stour responded well, immediately going on the attack, but they might easily have fallen behind within three more minutes as Portia Badach wastefully blazed over from close range.

From there it was all but one-way traffic as the Glassgirls turned the screw. Keren Allen dragged a shot wide and then headed over, both after being supplied by Aldred, and then Nicklin was thwarted as Turner tipped he shot over.

But there was relief all round when ALDRED finally put Stour ahead again, working space on the edge of the area before guiding a low shot just inside Turner’s left-hand post.

Ruby Meeson set Rogers free for a shot that was just off target as Turner came out to close her down, but the Glassgirls striker had the last laugh. Receiving the ball on the byline, ROGERS held off her defender, turned inside and fired a shot into the roof of the net to give the Glassgirls daylight.

And ROGERS sealed the win in added time, bursting onto a long clearance as Tamworth committed players forward and lifting a shot over the advancing Turner and into the empty net.

Manager Andy Fisher was delighted with his team’s display.

“We didn’t really get going in the first half, it was pretty clear that everyone still had half an eye on last week. But the way we picked it up after the break was excellent. Even when they scored we didn’t let it knock us off our stride at all.

“We really needed that. The Sutton game was just one match, just three points, but it could easily have festered and turned into something if we hadn’t got ourselves together the way we did. The players should take a lot from that.

“We’ve got a big FA Cup game coming up now, so the hard work doesn’t stop. But we’re in a good place going into it, so I know we’ll be ready.”