Our third game of the 24/25 season saw us back on the road as we travelled to Lincolnshire to face Graham Drury’s AFC Stamford side who finished just outside the playoffs last term which was their first season back in step 3.

After Harvey Portman and Jourdain Masidi were ruled out through injury following the AFC Telford United match on Tuesday night, Liam McDonald added Will Grewal-Pollard to his back line ahead of the match. The 21 year old was at Derby County before being released last summer, having spent time with Alfreton Town of the National League North last season.

Alex Jones got the game underway with Stamford having the first opening of the game three minutes in but Lee Shaw’s shot was deflected away from goal. Nobody could get onto the corner which followed but it was played back across goal where Ollie Taylor was forced into an excellent save to tip it over the crossbar.

We were asking questions of the Stamford back line with some excellent through balls but Miro Pais was judged to foul his man before Jones was denied by the linesman’s flag. Another good attack saw Ethan Freemantle fouled on the egde of the area but Alex Bradley’s delivery was claimed by the keeper before Joel Kettle could reach it.

Pais had arguably our best opportunity of the half around 22 minutes in after some good work from Jones allowed him to cross it into the winger’s path but his shot was too powerful and it rose over the crossbar.

He was involved soon after as Bradley’s shot was well saved before the rebound fell to Pais but his effort was blocked before Stamford cleared their lines. Alex Moore delivered a pinpoint ball into the box with seven minutes left of the first half but Freemantle couldn’t connect properly, allowing the keeper to collect with ease.

The last opportunity of the half came after some good wokr by new signing Grewal-Pollard allowed Jones to drive into space out wide before finding Bradley, who could only shoot wide of the target through a crowded penalty area.

Half time: Stamford AFC 0-0 Stourbridge FC

The second half saw Stamford get a penalty just three minutes in after Bradley brought Shaw down inside the area after a quick break away by the hosts. Taylor dived the right was but was unable to stop Rob Morgan scoring from the spot.

Kettle was on hand soon after to make a big block to deny Stamford a second as Charlie Marzano found Shaw in a good position inside the area. The corner that followed saw a goalmouth scramble but we managed to hack the ball clear before it could find its way into the net.

We made three changes within the next five minutes with Jones, Moore and Prosser being replaced by Jai VErma, Elliott Durrell and Dom Lewis.

Pais managed to carve out the next opportunity as he beat his man before finding Bradley but his deep cross was too high for Freemantle at the back post.

Durrell was looking to make an instant impact as he spotted the keeper off his line and tried his luck from the halfway line but the effort was off target. Verma was also quick to get involved in the action as he drove down the wing before cutting it and hitting it goalwards but it was also just wide of the target.

Our final substitutes came just before the 75th minute mark with Toumani Sidibe and Callum Coyle replacing Pais and Bradley.

Stamford were still looking dangerous on the counterattack as a long goalkick saw them break into our box but the shot was hit into the side netting.

We continued to apply pressure as we headed towards full time but we were unable to create any clear cut chances before the referee blew the whistle for full time.

Full time: Stamford AFC 1-0 Stourbridge FC

Our next game sees us return home on the 24th of August against AFC Sudbury who have drawn all three of their opening matches against Banbury United, Biggleswade Town and Royston Town.

Stamford AFC: 1. Thomas Jackson 2. Charlie Marzano 3. Luke Redfern 4 Harry Vince 5 Jordon Cooke 6. James Blunden 7. Tendai Chitiza 8 Morgan Robert 9. Jack Duffy 10 Lee Shaw 11 Oliver Clark. Subs: 12. Will Glennon 14. Jon Challinor 15 Tobias Liversidge 16. Thomas Siddons 17. Jack Butterfill

Stourbridge FC: 1. Ollie Taylor 2. Jessy Bavanganga 3. Will Grewal-Pollard 4. Alex Prosser 5. Jordaan Brown 6. Joel Kettle 8. Alex Moore 9. Ethan Freemantle 10. Alex Bradley 11. Miro Pais 14. Alex Jones. Subs: 7. Jai Verma 12. Dom Lewis 17. Callum Coyle 19. Toumani Sidibe 20. Elliott Durrell