Glassgirls Sign Off in Style!

Esme Moran gave Stour a first half lead, but Sutton battled back to level midway through the second period. However, Amber Lawrence (pictured) restored the advantage within seconds and hit a late third to ensure no alarms in the closing stages.

The result means the Glassgirls have topped the table by an astonishing ten points, an unthinkable margin just a month ago, and testament to the team's relentless form which has seen them win 21 out of 22 matches, and their last 17 on the trot.

Manager Andy Fisher was pleased to see his team end the season on the right note.

“We really wanted that one, you know, after they beat us at Hingley’s. I thought we were excellent first half, probably should have been more than one up at the break, but we got a bit ragged after half time, lost a bity of concentration, and you can’t afford to do that against a team like Sutton. They will punish you and that’s what they did.

“But then we showed exactly what we’re about by taking a grip of the game again. Lamby’s [Lawrence] goals were quality, that’s why we love her. It’s easy to forget she had a baby at Christmas and she’s come back like a kid in a sweet shop! She’s absolutely loved being out there again, and she’s been a massive boost for us in the last couple of months of the season.

“We’ll have a bit of a rest now, but the planning for next season has already started and we’re looking forward to it. There’s no way we’re going into the National League just to make up the numbers. We want to do well, and I think we’re capable of that.”

There may have been nothing at stake on a mild afternoon at Coles Lane, but nobody would have thought it from the tempo of the game. Both teams set out with attacking intent in what turned out to be an excellent match.

Chances were few and far between in the opening minutes, until Lili-Beth Bown created enough space for a half-hit shot which looked innocuous but had Lottie McElroy diving to her left to tip away from danger, and then on 18 minutes some patient build-up play led to Carly Aldred shooting off target from 20 yards.

Sutton, meanwhile, were getting forward and probing the Stourbridge defence, but not creating anything to seriously trouble Amie Preston.

A jinking run by Millie Rogers almost saw her in on goal until a last-ditch tackle stopped her getting a shot away, whilst Esme Moran went close with a downward header from a Rogers corner which went just the wrong side of the post.

MORAN atoned for her inaccuracy three minutes later, however, coming in late at the far post to meet an Alex Nicklin free kick from the right with a header that beat McElroy and the defender on the line to put Stour ahead.

Unsurprisingly, Sutton countered and perhaps shaded the rest of the half, going very close to levelling on 33 minutes as Sophie Levick’s deep free kick was met by a looping header from Ruth Graham which bounced against Preston’s crossbar, with the Glassgirls keeper able to dive on the ball in the ensuing scramble.

There was almost a dream start to the second half as Nicklin’s ball into the area found Lawrence but her attempt to lift the ball over McElroy lacked the elevation to trouble the keeper who held comfortably.

Sutton had come out with more impetus after the break but Stour went close again as they broke down the left, with Meg Hadley’s strong run eventually finding Rogers who cut inside but could only fire straight at McElroy.

There were some worrying signs for Fisher’s team, though, with the occasional pass out of defence going astray and the home side quick to pounce, and from one such error on 63 minutes Sutton drew level as Poppy Deakin fed NIAMH DEASY and the powerful striker’s excellent first touch gave her the chance to drill a shot low past Preston and inside the far post.

Stour’s reply was as instant as it could have been. From the kick-off, Rogers through pass found LAWRENCE in an ocean of penalty box space and she slipped her shot beneath the advancing McElroy a mere seven seconds after play had re-started!

Rogers could only shoot at McElroy again a couple of minutes later, but there was another scare for the Glassgirls as Deasy seized on another mistake before shooting wide when she might have done better.

But Stour finished the game as a contest with a third goal eight minutes from time. Rogers again caused problems with her persistence down the left and her cross found Gee Thacker in the box to lay back for LAWRENCE to volley into the corner from 15 yards, a fitting goal to round off the season!

There was one more chance for Stour as Thacker got away on the right and crossed for Rogers on the stretch, who couldn’t quite get enough on the ball to turn it in.

So ends a spectacular season for the Glassgirls, with a ‘Double’ in the trophy cabinet and a place in the National League on the horizon. Congratulations to the players and staff, and our thanks to those who have supported the team throughout the campaign. We will see you all in 2022-23!

STOURBRIDGE LINE-UP

Amie Preston, Jess Bate, Meg Hadley, Keren Allen, Sophie Heaselgrave, Alex Nicklin, Lili-Beth Bown, Esme Moran, Carly Aldred, Hannah Fishwick, Millie Rogers.

SUBSTITUTES (all used)

Louisa Butcher, Macey Turvey, Gee Thacker, Ruby Meeson, Amber Lawrence.