Glassboys go nap in the FA Cup !

                                                       ⚽    F A  Cup  ⚽

Dudley Town 0  Stourbridge 5

A great sence of anticipation was in the air prior to this FA Cup local derby. Town were roared on by their highly vociferous following and there was no shortage of fans backing the visitors. A cagey start by both sides was no indication of what was to come. Town didn't seem overawed by their higher league opponents ; indeed they took the game to them at every opportunity but without any real threat, other than a half chance on 10 minutes which was easily collected by the keeper. That all changed on 26 minutes following a corner that Dudley failed to clear and Moore scored ⚽. Dudley hardly had time to catch their breath before The Glassboys added a second via a Freemantle header ⚽. Now, the visitors were in the comfort zone, not withstanding Towns never-say-die attitude which was then severely dampened on 45 minutes with a 25 yard cracker from Durrell ⚽.

Following the break Dudley continued where they left off, throwing everything at the visitors, but again, all there good work was undone on 54 minutes when, following a corner, Kettle scored ⚽. With nothing to lose, the hosts went hell for leather at the Glassboys and were very unlucky on a couple of occasions, being denied by superb goalkeeping.

The game was wrapped up on 90 minutes when Masidi completed the scoring ⚽. 

Town gave their all, never lacking in endeavour or spirit but on the day it was Stourbridge who knew how to finish in front of goal.

Entrance ; £10

Drink ; From £1.20

Referee ; 9/10

Att ; 500 est

Entertainment ; 9/10

Stafford Town progress in the F A Vase

                                                       ⚽      F A Vase  ⚽

Bilston Town  1  Stafford Town First 4

A lightning quick start to the match as Bilston are awarded a free kick on the edge of the area in the first minute...back of the net 1-0 ⚽

If that stunned the visitors, it didn't show as they  gathered themselves, raced down the left and cut in to beat the keeper. 1-1 ⚽

Things seem to calm somewhat and both sides had chances to gain the advantage but none were taken until two minutes before the break when Stafford took advantage of some lax defending 1-2 ⚽.

The second half could not have been more different as Stafford gradually took control and the hosts seemingly collapsed before our eyes with passes increasingly either going astray or straight to the opposition. It was no surprise to anyone when the visitors increased their lead around 70 minutes, 1-3 ⚽. Just a couple of minutes before time the visitors scored the easiest goal of the game with a tap-in 1-4 ⚽. 

This was such an absorbing game in the first session that it was hard to understand the second half, such was the transformation in The Steelmen. Stafford Town move on to the next round.

 

Entrance ; £4

Drink ;  From £1.20

Referee ; 8/10

Att ; 183

Entertainment ; 8/10

Rugby Town leave it late.

                             ⚽                    ⚽ FA Cup ⚽          ⚽

Wolverhampton Casuals 0  Rugby Town 3

                                                                                                                    Brinsford Stadium 3/08/2024

What could be better to kick off the new season than an FA Cup game ? Rugby Town were the visitors and brought along a raucous backing.

The visitors were quickly out of the blocks and looking threatening without really testing the home keeper with Casuals relying on quick breaks, particularly down the left. Casuals did have their own spells of possession but were also guilty of wasting the chances they created.

Following the break, Town seemed to step up the pace and the hosts were finding it increasingly difficult to contain them, seemingly being penned in their own half. Following a speight of corners late in the match, it  seemed only a matter of time before Town scored and so it transpired when, following another corner,the ball seemed to beat all at the near post to leave an open goal for a tap-in⚽. Once that happened, the floodgates opened as Casuals collapsed and two more quickly followed⚽⚽.

Town were well worth their win and progress to the next round with a few quid in the bank. Casuals were unable to carry their first-half performance into the second half and were duly punished.

   

Entrance ; £5 concession

Drink ; £1

Referee ; 8/10

Att ; 150 est

Entertainment ; 8/10