Away day win is perfect for Bards boss
Stourbridge 0, Stratford Town 1
STRATFORD Town manager Gavin Hurren praised his players for delivering the perfect away performance in beating Stourbridge - a win that lifted them back into the play-off places.
Callum Ebanks’ goal just before half-time was enough to wrap up the points and the winning margin could have been greater as the Bards created a number of further chances in the closing stages.
Hurren said: “I thought we dominated the first half and got the goal we deserved. It is tough coming to a place like Stourbridge who have a new manager and a great squad. We had to step it up but I was really pleased with our game management. To come away from home and win 1-0 is the perfect away performance.
“A new manager lifts everyone and they played a different formation but I thought we adapted and for large parts of the game I thought we were comfortable and deserved the three points.”
It was the home side who created the first real chance of the game on 18 minutes. A long diagonal ball from defender Jessy Bavanganga found Brad Bood on the left and his first time cross picked out Luke Benbow at the far post but his volley flew just wide.
There were cheers from the Stourbridge fans when Bards assistant manager and former Glassboy Lee Vaughan was sent from the dugout for kicking the ball away - an instant red card according to the officials - but they were silenced just moments later when Andre Landell whipped a ball into the box which just eluded Ebanks six yards out.
Chances had been few and far between as both sides struggled on a tricky surface and it was apt that the only goal came about due to a mistake. A hopeful hoof forward from the visitors seemed unlikely to cause Stourbridge defender Joel Kettle any problems but he lost his footing allowing Landell in on goal and when he squared the ball, Ebanks was on hand to thrash home.
Bards keeper Callum Smith was called on early in the second period to save a Kettle header at the foot of his post and there was a scare for the visitors when Niall Flint’s cross was missed by two teammates lurking in the area.
At the other end, Ebanks sent a volley over the target and then, after Stourbridge were reduced to ten men following an injury to Benbow and after all three substitutes had been used, he had two more excellent chances.
On 85 minutes he chipped the ball over advancing keeper Charlie Price. The Bards striker was clattered to the floor prompting calls for a penalty and his shot was cleared off the line by Kettle.
Five minutes later, following great work from substitute Callum Coyle to win possession, Ebanks was played in again but this time Price saved his shot.
Stourbridge: Price, Shambrook, Portman, Prosser, Kettle, Bavanganga (Flint 56), Arthur (Walters 56), Butterfield, Benbow, Ryley (Daniels 76), Bood. Subs (not used): Fletcher, Wilson
Stratford: Smith, Wilson (Vann 88), Worley, Hussey, McCone, Lafferty, Landell, Hawker (Barkers 66), Ebanks, Ison, Hamilton (Coyle 73). Subs (not used): Daly, Storer
Referee: Thomas Staten
Attendance: 650
Opposition Star Man: Harvey Portman
Bards Star Man: Dan Lafferty
