With no fewer than 10 new faces making their debut (or return) to Amblecote this afternoon, it was a much changed side taking to the field.

The game got off to a feisty start when former Glassboy Jordan Williams was booked for a late challenge out wide on Miro Pais as he looked to drive down the wing - where he caused problems all afternoon.

St Ives were looking to utalise the long throw but were dealing with the threat well after two consective attempts were cleared - the latter by Jordaan Brown who was immense all afternoon.

Our defence continued to stand strong in the opening period when Joel Kettle blocked last season's league top scorer Jonny Edwards shot before we caused problems at the other end after a brilliant counterattack saw it reach Pais but his powerful shot was saved well by Wilks between the St Ives sticks.

We continued to look dangerous on the attack with Williams being called into action to block Freemantle’s strike before Jourdain Masidi had his first opportunity in a Glassboys shirt but it didn’t cause Wilks any problems.

After the first half drinks break, Alex Jones had his first chance which was blocked before Alex Moore delivered a corner which was also cleared. Jones had the next opportunity as a ball found him in the box but a lapse in communication between him and Freemantle allowed the keeper to collect first.

We continued to cause danger as the half came to an end with Moore picking out Freemantle who drove forwards towards goal but the resulting shot went narrowly wide at the far post.

Half time: Stourbridge FC 0-0 St Ives Town FC

We had the first opportunity in the second half as Freemantle was fouled just outside the area. Elliott Durrell stood over the resulting freekick which he delivered into Bavanganga at the back post but he couldn’t direct it goalwards.

We continued to apply pressure onto the St Ives defence as Durrell skipped past a number of players without being able to get a shot off before Jones’ effort was straight at Wilks. A lovely passage of play followed as Pais picked it up on the edge of the area but his shot rose over the crossbar.

Our first double change saw Callum Coyle and Alex Bradley replace Miro Pais and Alex Jones just after the 60 minute mark following the drinks break with Jai Verma replacing Jourdain Masidi soon after.

Verma looked to make an instant impact as a brilliant through ball found him out wide but he was denied by the linesman’s flag.

Another double change followed as we entered the closing stages with Toumani Sidibe and Alex Prosser replacing Ethan Freemantle and Elliott Durrell.

Sidibe made his presence known almost immediately when he was fouled just outside the area. Bradley stood over it and forced the keeper into an excellent save. We continued to search for an opening as Kettle brought it down inside the area before setting it to Coyle who’s shot went agonisingly wide.

With four minutes added on, Bradley delivered two excellent corners we were unable to capitalise on before we found our opening in the 93rd minute! Bavanganga’s throw eventually fell to ALEX MOORE who curled a beautiful strike into the top corner to spark joyous celebrations!

Full Time: Stourbridge FC 1-0 St Ives Town FC

Liam McDonald’s first league outing in the dugout ended with a big three points to start the season with a clean sheet to match!

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

St Ives Town: 1. Daniel Wilks 2. Jernade Meade 3. Aaron Smith 4. Edmud Huttor 5. Jordan Williams 6. Alex Collard 7. Theo Alexandrou 8. Peter Abimbola 9. Jonathan Edwards 10. Jordan Nicholson 11. Patrick Casey. Subs: 12. Ethan Creary 15. Evan Watkins 16. Darko Obeng 18. David Adegbola.