Men's First Team
Matches
Sat 21 Nov 2015  ·  Premier Division
Marine
1
3
Stourbridge FC
Men's First Team
Marine 1 Stourbridge 3

Marine 1 Stourbridge 3

Richard Clark23 Nov 2015 - 14:31
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The Glassboys earned a deserved win on Merseyside, but not without some nervous moments in the closing stages.


Having not played a League game since 27th November, and having failed to pick up points in their previous two League fixtures, Gary Hackett and his men were desperate to record a win, particularly with another bout of Cup action on the way over the next two weeks.

There were two changes from the starting line-up against Carlton Town, with a back complaint ruling out Justin Richards, and Stuart Pierpoint not risked as he was one caution away from a suspension that would rule him out of the FA Cup tie against Eastleigh. In their places were Ben Billingham and Chris Knight.

Stourbridge began on the front foot, with Matt Dodd twice seeing efforts deflected for corners, and Karl Hawley having the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.

But that did not deter the Glassboys marksman, who opened the scoring with just nine minutes played as he touched in Chris Lait’s cross from close range.

With the confidence of a goal under his belt, Hawley was involved again on 15 minutes, but his shot from distance flew harmlessly over the bar, before Marine began to force their way into the game, Luke Holden hitting a free kick over, and then Danny Mitchley producing a good low save from Lewis Solly.

Billingham’s flick set up Lait for a shot off target just after the half-hour mark, whilst Knight saw his volley from a corner well stopped by Matt Copper in the home goal, before Lewis Codling saw his 30 yard attempt fly high and wide shortly afterwards.

But Stourbridge made their more controlled play pay just two minutes from the break. Good work by Dodd and Kris Green down the right saw the latter tee up Tom Tonks for a deft poked effort that clipped the far post before settling in the back of the net, to give the former Halesowen player his first goal in Stourbridge colours.

With that cushion behind them Stourbridge went looking for a third goal as the second period got under way, and almost had it just three minutes in as Dodd crossed and a half-clearance allowed Dan Scarr to get in a shot that was parried by Cooper before Billingham’s deflected follow-up was cleared off the line.

Leon Broadhurst was cautioned shortly afterwards for a foul on midfielder Andy Owens that saw the influential Mariner stretchered off.

Dodd then spurned a chance on 52 minutes as he lost control after being put through on goal, and Tonks was denied by the excellent Cooper moments later.

Marine sought to punish Stourbridge for not making the most of their opportunities, but the closest they came was a looping header by Mitchley that cleared the crossbar with Solly watching it all the way, whilst Hawley then had three chances in quick succession to put the game to bed. First his attempted chip was claimed easily by Cooper, then he shot wide from Dodd’s pass, and finally Cooper produced a more noteworthy save to tip a shot round the post.

There were rapid yellow cards for Mitchley and Codling as the home side battled for a way back into the game, and Alan Burton was denied when his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner, but Stourbridge seemed the most likely to add to the scoreline.

However, after Mitchley had fired wide with his 74th minute effort, it was substitute Chad Whyte who ensured that the match was far from over as he slotted in just a minute later when the visitors defence failed to clear their lines.

Having looked comfortable, the Glassboys now found themselves under a little pressure, as Holden’s shot from 30 yards flew wide and a number of crosses came into Solly’s area without anybody able to finish them off.

The game entered stoppage time with Stourbridge looking to hit the home side on the break. Lait saw a shot saved by Cooper yet again and Hawley was denied thanks to a fine challenge by Mitchell Duggan.

But it was Hawley who was to have the final word all the same. Taking a ball down the left from Junior Smikle, he advanced on goal before planting his shot beyond Cooper to seal the win.

Match details

Match date

Sat 21 Nov 2015

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

333

Competition

Premier Division
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