ANDERSON LATE SHOW SAVES DAY
Last-gasp winner rescues Glassboys
KAIMAN Anderson netted a dramatic stoppage time winner to send prolific FA Cup fighters Stourbridge into the next round.
The Glassboys appeared to be coasting home after taking a 2-0 lead but Leamington battled back to level in what proved a pulsating second half contest.
Delighted Stourbridge manager Gary Hackett confirmed: “At 2-2, I would have taken a replay, but the players dug deep and what this proves is we know how to win cup ties.”
Stourbridge survived an early scare when a second minute free-kick from Brakes goalkeeper Tony Breedon eluded everyone as the ball struck the foot of the post before Stourbridge shotstopper James Wren managed to turn away for a corner with striker Matt Stenson set to pounce.
Stourbridge had to thank Wren for keeping them on level terms by half-time following two fantastic saves to keep Stenson at bay.
Wren tipped a goalbound volley from Stenson over the crossbar on 42 minutes and then thwarted the former Sky Blues player three minutes later when he turned Stenson’s shot-onthe-turn around the post.
Stourbridge snatched an unlikely lead on 48 minutes when luckless Brakes defender Jack Lane turned a Robbie Thompson-Brown cross into his own net.
The Brakes were unlocked again on 53 minutes when Breedon came off his line to make a brave block at Thompson-Brown’s feet but the ball rebounded back out to long-serving Leon Broadhurst who lashed the ball back home from fully 35 yards out.
But the Brakes refused to lie down and continued to press forward.
They pulled a goal back on 82 minutes when Wren went full stretch to tip Stenson’s header over the crossbar. But from the resulting set-piece, Stenson slotted home.
The Brakes looked to have salvaged a replay on 87 minutes when Wren was
unable to hold a close range Jamie Hood header and Stenson was on hand to scramble over the line.
But in a sensational late twist, substitute Chekaine Steele delivered an inchperfect left wing cross with his first touch of the ball and Anderson deftly turned the ball beyond the reach of the helpless Breedon.
Dismayed Brakes boss Paul Holleran admitted: “I was disappointed with our second half display even though we showed character to get the score back to 2-2. But we conceded the cross which led to the winner far too cheaply.
“It’s all about managing games and moments and we didn’t do that because we weren’t strong enough defensively.” STAR MAN: James Wren (Stourbridge) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★