Stourbridge 0, Workington 0

STOURBRIDGE drew a hard-fought encounter with visitors Workington in the Amblecote heat this afternoon.

The Glassboys will look back a crucial spell at the start of the second half that saw wide man Matt Dodd miss a one on one and then a penalty within the first three minutes.

Once they passed up those opportunities it was always going to be hard to break the deadlock against a determined Workington outfit that matched them all the way.

It was the Glassboys that started the quicker of the two sides and created the first real opportunity of the afternoon.

Karl Hawley raced out to a Matt Dodd flick on in the six minute to get in behind the Workington back line. But, after initially being forced wide, he could only fire straight at keeper Alex Mitchell from a narrow angle.

For long spells the contest was a battle for the ball as both sides took it in turns to win the ball back only to surrender possession after getting into the final third.

Junior Smikle did work Mitchell once more just before the half hour mark after cutting in from the left flank and curling a decent effort on target but straight into the grateful arms of the visiting keeper.

On 30 minutes, Mitchell was again called into action to claw away a Drew Canavan free kicks from just outside the box after Hawley was fouled.

Despite their not being much between the two sides as the half wore on, it took Stour goalkeeper Lewis Solly to keeper the scores level at the break.

Scott Allison got down the right flank, crossed to Conor Tinnion who in turn layer it off to forward Matt Tymon to hit on the half volley.

Solly dived well to his left to palm away the powerful effort and ensure before the referee called time on a the first period.

The second half saw the hosts begin the brighter once more.

They were quick out of the blocks and should have opened the scoring when Dodd latched onto a long ball over the top.

However,with just Mitchell to beat he fired tamely at the out rushing keeper.

But Before Workington could catch their breath it was Dodd causing problems just a minute later.

He burst into the box and was felled by Kyle May to bag a spot kick for his side.

Dodd got to his feet to take it but again fired a weak effort that Mitchell easily collected.

As the warm temperature took its toll it was the visitors that finished the better and saw a host of long range efforts fizz narrowly over Solly's bar.

Another chance for Stour saw Chilton hit a low effort at Mitchell on 70 minutes after a good run from deep by Drew Canavan.

Ultimately, a draw was probably a fair result, though the Glassboys will look back at their start to the second half as their big chance to take the points from the contest.

Stourbridge: Solly, Green, Scarr, Tonks, Smikle (Morgan-Parker 65), Pierpoint (c), Dodd, Broadhurst, Hawley, Chilton (Harris 73), Canavan.

Unused subs: Webberburn, Knight.

Workington: Mitchell, Simpson, Rowntree (c), May, Calvert, McLuckie, Allison, Wright, Tymon (Salmon 68), McGee (Earl 62), Tinnion.

Unused subs: Smith, Arnison, Telfer.