ST IVES GRAB LATE GOAL TO DENY STOURBRIDGE THE WIN

STOURBRIDGE 1 ST IVES TOWN 1
EVOSTIK SOUTH PREMIER CENTRAL @ AMBLECOTE
30 MARCH 2019 --- 3PM

STOURBRIDGE GREG MILLS BURSTS THROUGH

Second placed Stourbridge looked to be struggling over the line to an unconvincing win thanks to Greg Mills fourth minute penalty however with three minutes remaining the shoulder of substitute Taona Sundire sent the ball goal bound with a home defenders despairing foot helping it over the line to secure a point and league safety for the visitors from Cambridgeshire.
Another week at step three and another week in Evostik South meant as per usual an hour all standing to Birmingham, with Rotherham at Derby - Sheff Wednesday at Stoke and Uttoxeter races taking place the sardine impression was deployed as far as ram town.  A quick walk to nearby Moor Street Station soon saw departure onto an all stopping service to Stourbridge Junction and that's were the day probably highlighted.

THE DREAM MACHINE HAS ARRIVED AT PLATFORM 1 AT STOURBRIDGE TOWN

The line to Stourbridge Town is a branch line and reputed to be the shortest in Europe at around 3/4's of a mile and as the old memory had reminded me before the start of the journey this line is operated a Parrys's People Mover train [mini-bus on wheels].  The journey takes three minutes and after an unloading and loading returns within a couple of minutes so round trip finds it back at 'Junction' in about eight minutes all at a maximum speed of up to 20 mph.  It was a well frequented service and upon departure at the single platform 'Town' station there was also a manned ticket office.
Stourbridge as a town, not sure how this develops, the place appeared to have no centre or focus point with a small precinct which appeared to be hidden away so whether much of its beauty was missed I'm not sure although it may be signified by the excellently named, sadly closed, Scary Canary clothes shop and summed up by Brighthouse also having departed.

UNIQUE ENTRANCE TO THE WAR MEMORIAL ATHLETICS GROUND

Equally unable to find a chippy and having been oblivious to the KFC, which shone like a beacon from the back of the stand when in the ground, bit late then, it was time to pop along High Street into the Amblecote area of Stourbridge.

COVERED TERRACE OPPOSITE THE ENTRANCE WITH THE WOLLASTON FLATS OBSERVING

The first inclined entrance was bypassed for a photo opportunity of the archway that announces the War Memorial Athletics Ground now the base for the cricket club and high flying football club, by its very nature of course it makes the ground a three sided affair.
A lot going on here firstly to say before a mini tour a friendly welcome on the gate matched up with a super programme, good public address system and bar which is our first point to pass this also contains a small club shop with well stocked clothing items.  Moving past the players entrance the toilet block is behind the club and changing rooms and the adjacent snack cabin is already firing up for todays busy crowd of 621.  Passing the turnstiles we walked past a small stepped terrace area that takes you to the far touchline.  This side has two covered terrace enclosures with a bench seated stand in the middle with an elevated and overlapping roof to the front creating quite an enclosed feeling.  Behind the far goal is once again a smart deep standing enclosure which can be segregated when needs must, to continue takes you to the cricket outfield and this is fenced off with a detachable green meshed fencing.

EARLY STOURBRIDGE ATTACK

Game wise it never really got going until the final ten minutes or so and it looked like Mills fourth minute penalty conversion after an aerial push would seal the day and the points for Stourbridge.
That was it for the first half with the home side pushing for a second but not quite finding the clinical edge to extend their lead and St Ives appearing happy to limit The Glassboys chances.

REF PENALTY GOOD CALL

The second period saw George Forsyth go agonisingly close with a shot that flew back off the post into the St Ives keepers arms and then moments later the visitors goal led a charmed life.
This seemed to be the signal for St Ives to have a go and with ten minutes remaining Andrew Osei-Bonsu put in a low cross that if Tom Woods bootlace had touched it would have ended up in the back of the net.

BIG STRETCH FROM VISITING KEEPER MARTIN CONWAY

The visitors were looking likely to score now and James Wren saved from Ben Seymour-Shove and from the loose ball Sundire saw his effort blocked. 
At last the game was opening up and as play became stretched we were seeing some moments of excitement and open play.

ST IVES ASSISTANT MANAGER CRAIG ADAMS TAKES ON THE ROLL OF OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER

The home fans feared the equaliser you could sense the jitters and with three minutes remaining a high ball into the box saw the ball come off Sundire in a challenge with the home keeper and as it fell towards the line it struck Zak Lilly on the boot and flew into his own goal.

THE EQUALISER IS ON ITS WAY IN OFF THE UNFORTUNATE STOURBRIDGE DEFENDER

Wren afterwards thought he had been fouled but with credit to him he had a friendly chat with the
visiting supporters and even went to have a look at their phone video after the final whistle before
wishing them all the best for the rest of the season, a nice touch as he must have been disappointed.

JOY AND DESPAIR

Walking around to the exit the St Ives assistant manager Craig Adams asked what I thought of the game as he came back to the dug out and we had a few minutes chat this all added to the friendly nature towards the end of the game from both home keeper and here the visiting manager, respect to both.
Back to the Parry People Mover dream machine to connect straight onto a Birmingham bound train at Stourbridge Junction and with a fairly comfortable New St service departure arrival back at base station was just after 7.30pm.