Stourbridge 2, Marine 0

STOURBRIDGE are into the playoff positions of the Northern Premier League for the first time this season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Marine.

Two Jordan Archer headers were enough to pick up the three points for the Glassboys who came through a very physical game unharmed.

The first half hour of the game was a very scrappy affair with hard tackles coming in from both sides.

There were no real scoring opportunities for either team until Stourbridge got a free kick on the right-hand edge of the box on 33 minutes after good work from Jordan Archer who cut inside and was fouled just as he went to take a shot.

The free kick was lifted into the area before being headed out to Stuart Pierpoint on the left hand touchline. The centre back put a good cross into the box where Archer ‘rose like a salmon’ over the opposing defenders to head the home team in front.

This seemed to open the floodgates as the Glassboys went 2-0 up shortly after, this time it was good work by Luke Benbow down the right who was able to get a cross to the far post and Archer was there once again – this time unmarked – to give Stour some breathing space.

A few minutes later it could have been three. The ball was bouncing around the area before falling to the feet of Chris Lait whose shot was parried away by Marine keeper Calvin Hare.

The second half was one of few chances, although Stour should have been further away if Tom Tonks’ curled effort in the 58th minute would have been the right side of the post.

Luke Benbow was next to be denied and was unlucky not to get a penalty as he took the ball around Hare only to be taken down by Foley but the ref pointed for a corner.

Hare made another great save to deny Dodd at his near post late on. With only had the keeper to beat, Dodd could not squeeze the ball home.

Despite being a scrappy game, Stourbridge held their own with Marine’s tough tackling and will probably be disappointed that they didn’t get more than two goals out of the game.

Stourbridge: Gould, Knight, Westlake, Tonks (c), (Heath 89), Duggan, Pierpoint, Dodd, Broadhurst, Benbow, (Canavan 86), Archer, Lait, (Brown 69).

Unused Subs: Gater, Smikle.

Rushall: Hare, Short, Nicholas, Threlfall, Foley, Hughes, (Myler 45), Lindfield, Thompson, Mitchley, Sherlock, (Doherty 80), Bellew, (Hamilton 5).

Subs: Moore, Porter.

Att: 857