It was heartbreak for the Yellows, as we were denied what would have been a huge three points, late on. The Suds made a couple of changes. Charlie Lewis dropped to the bench after having played every minute so far this season; Joe Tarpey replaced him. Up the other end, Josh Allen was replaced by Afolabi Ololade. So, we had Bradbrook in goal. A back three of Oluwatimilehin, Cawley, and Dickens. In midfield we had Pinnington and Tarpey in the wide positions with Turner (C) and Hunter playing in the centre. In attack we had a front three of Dunne, Page, and Ololade, and on the bench, Brown, Lewis, Bradley, Allen, and Bampoe.

The match started with the home side dominating possession, but the Suds looking dangerous on the counter. The closest chance of the opening minutes was a Sudbury chance, and it came from Jack Cawley. When he hit the crossbar with a free kick, which lead to some shocked faces dotted about the Stourbridge faithful, and AFC Sudbury bench! Stourbridge returned the favour shortly after, but Bradders was more than up to the task, making a wonderful save. The closest the home side came in the half though was much later in the 45 when a delightful pass across the face of goal was tapped wide, the definition of easier to score than miss!

Half-Time: Stourbridge FC 0-0 AFC Sudbury

In the second half, the Yellows came out fast, and won a free kick just inside the Stourbridge half down the right wing. The free kick was switched over to Tarps, he laid it back to Rom, who swung in a delightful pass into the box, and Afo- who was unmarked- nodded into the back of the net unchallenged. Take nothing away from the goal though, he gave the ‘keeper no chance, finishing off an incredibly well worked goal! As the net rippled, Afo wheeled away in celebration, as he got off the mark for Sudbury, and the Yellow away end went wild! In quick succession though, Stourbridge fired narrowly wide as they began to knock on the door of the Yellows. With 10 minutes to go, we went agonizingly close to doubling our lead. Josh Allen got the ball in the penalty area and spun his man before trying to round the goalie, who did very well to push the ball away, but Josh still had control of it and as he went to shoot past the defenders into the net, he hit his shot just wide. Then two minutes later, Josh was denied by a magnificent save, as the goalie managed to push the low shot away. With five minutes to go, we were reduced to 10, Rom went in with some force, and got the ball, but the Stourbridge fans went up ferociously, and despite it being a low, fair but forceful challenge, the ref went to his back pocket and showed Romario a straight red. As the ref signalled that five minutes would be added on, Stourbridge’s Luke Benbow twisted and turned in the penalty area before firing into the back of the net, levelling for the home side. In the dying seconds, Bradders made a magnificent save to make sure that we left our six hour round journey with at least a point.
After the final whistle we learnt that Stourbridge then parted company with their management team. Is dropping points to the Yellows really a sackable offence?

Full-Time Stourbridge FC 1-1 AFC Sudbury

Well, another great performance in which we didn’t come away with what we deserved. However, respect the point, as always. They all count. Next up, we play St Ives Town which is our first of three home games as the run in reaches its climax, so let's give 110% in our energy levels on Saturday, because we’ve seen what boost it can give to the players.

UP THE SUDS

By Isaac Mennie