How they rated:

Stourbridge 2, Bromsgrove 1

Stourbridge:

Wren: Didn’t have a great deal to do but did collect well on occasions. Well protected by his defender, especially in the second half. 6.

Green: Solid afternoon for the full-back who grew as the game went on. Won some important battles with Kyle Perry late on to help his side to the win. 7.

Brown: Outstanding display from the left-back slot. His driving run from deep led to Liam Spink’s own goal as he slid in to prevent Brown from scoring. Composed on the ball, won his headers and got forward to support attacks. Brilliant all-round display. 9.

Turton: Took a while to get going but came into his own in the second half as Stour’s midfield battled to keep their lead. His corner set up Taylor’s equaliser. 6.

Williams: Towering display from the centre back. Read the game well and got his foot in at important times. Another who looked to relish the fight to hold out at the end. 7.

Carter: Struggled early on against the pace of McDonald but dug in and marshalled the defence well under late pressure. 6.

Bellis: Showed good work-rate in the engine room. Didn’t get on the ball as much as he’d want in the opening half an hour but had more joy hassling his Sporting counterparts in a hard-fought second half. 6.

Winwood: Similar to Bellis, too often passes went astray in the middle of the park in the first 20 minutes but another who dug in to shut down space and find a few forward passes as the game progressed. 6.

Taylor: A powerful display from the forward who was a real handful in the first half. Made a number of good bursts with the ball and got his reward with a neat glancing header for the opener. 8.

Botfield: Linked play well at times but struggled to have a big impact. Helped as Sporting pressed for a way back early in the second half and found good pockets of space behind Taylor. 6.

Mills: A mixed afternoon from the Stour winger. Came up against a good full-back in Jack Wilson who even followed him to the right flank after he’d swapped wings in the second half. Still found a way to get some good balls in the box and work a few openings for himself. 7.

Subs:

Landell: Did well after replacing Taylor and offered Stour more pace and drive in the closing stages. 6.

Finn: Did managed to get on the ball and keep possession for his side but did only have 10 minutes plus stoppage time to make an impact. 6.

Tonks: Battled hard to make sure Stour came out on top. Enjoyed a late battle with Kyle Perry as he kept things tight on the right side in support of Green. Did get forwards too and his long throws were a useful weapon. 7.

Unused subs: Price, Grocott.

Bromsgrove:

Breeden: Superb distribution at the back while remain a calm presence sweeping up behind his back line. Gathered well and a solid display overall. 7.

Westwood: Neat on the ball and advanced well down the left, especially early in the second half. 6.

Wilson: A fine display out on the right as he did well to shackle Mills for long spells. Shifted to the left late on and continued to defend really well. Also got forward too. 8.

Hayward: Did well in a packed midfield and worked hard under the radar to shut down space and cover a few Stour counterattacks in the second half. 6.

Broadhurst: Played in defence on his return to the War Memorial Ground and looked as accomplished as ever. A calming presence in possession, played it out well from the back and won a good number of challenges in the second half. Exposed a couple of times by Mills and Landell but recovered well. 7.

Hull: A strong showing from the defender who stepped in to win the ball back on a number of occasions. Might be a little disappointed to see Taylor head in the equaliser but was a commanding figure for the visitors. 6.5.

Spink: Did well in midfield, forced one save from Wren and looked unlucky to put the ball beyond Breeden as he slid in to make a last-ditch tackle on Jordaan Brown. 6.

Quaynor: Great engine in midfield and got on the ball well to get the Rouslers on the front foot from midfield. Always an option as Sporting looked to get forward. 7.

McDonald: A real handful for the hosts during a frantic first half. Took his goal really well after twisting and turning Carter to make room for the effort. Didn’t have the same impact in the second half as Stour dropped deeper to deal with the threat. 7.5.

Gregory: Linked up well with McDonald in the first half but found chances hard to come by as Stour dug in. Kept working hard to stretch the home backline without reward. 6.5.

Thompson-Brown: Cut in well from the left flank at times and his ability to carry the ball from deep was a real threat early on. Drifted out of the game in the second period. 6.

Subs:

Pykett: Replaced Thompson-Brown and worked hard to find space but struggled to have a big impact as Sporting went longer looking for Perry late on. 6.

Perry: A real handful in the dying moments. Had one shot go narrowly wide and had a good tussle with both Green and Tonks as he peeled onto them looking to win knockdowns in injury time. Had a penalty shout turned away and booked for dissent. Good impact. 7.

Dowd: Had a few good runs early in the second half but was well marshalled by the excellent Jordaan Brown. Switched deeper on the left late on as Sporting changed shape looking for a way back. 6.

Unused subs: Taylor, Brown.