Glassgirls Back with a Big Win!

A heavy surface was no obstacle for a rampant Glassgirls side as they scored twice in the opening five minutes, and five times before the break, easing their way through a second half where tired legs began to take their toll.

Alex Nicklin’s hat trick, plus goals from Millie Rogers, Hannah Fishwick, Chelsea Hassell and Jess Bate ensured Stour were able to close the gap on leaders Sutton Coldfield Town to just four points.

NICKLIN opened the scoring inside two minutes, finding the back of the net from close range after Fishwick had laid the ball off from Rogers’ right wing cross, and she added a second (pictured above) in the fifth minute, when good interplay between Fishwick and Connie Dutton allowed her the opportunity to waltz round Molly Ripley and fire into the empty net.

After that fast start, Stour continued to dominate possession against a Redditch side struggling to mount any meaningful attack on Amie Preston’s goal, but the Glassgirls couldn’t find their rhythm for a spell, although Fishwick almost found the net when only a flying save denied her from long distance.

Goals began to flow again, however, as the interval approached. First Ruby Meeson’s ball over the top sat up nicely for ROGERS to lash home, then FISHWICK produced a carbon copy of her earlier effort to beat Ripley from 20 yards, and NICKLIN completed her hat trick with a close range volley from another Rogers cross, moments after Rogers herself had seen an effort come back off the crossbar.

The Glassgirls were awarded a penalty six minutes after the break when Nicklin was brought down, with HASSELL making no mistake from the spot for her first goal for the First Team, but as the visitors dug in Stour found it increasingly difficult to break them down. Nicklin hit the bar with a shot on the turn, and Ripley did very well to palm away Courteney Murphy’s free kick, before BATE netted her first goal from the season as her ball swung in from the right deceived Ripley and flew straight in at the far post.

There was still time for Ripley to produce another outstanding save from Meeson’s header, as Stourbridge finished the match well on top to maintain their promotion challenge.

[i](Photo - Paul Rose Photography)[/i}

Glassgirls line-up

Amie Preston, Ruby Meeson, Keren Allen, Louisa Butcher, Gee Thacker, Lili-Beth Bown, Courteney Murphy, Alex Nicklin, Hannah Fishwick, Millie Rogers, Connie Dutton.

Substitutes

Jess Bate, Carly Aldred, Chelsea Hassell, Ellie McGovern, Macey Turvey