Despite being far from their fluent best and very much second best in the first half, City managed to secure a point against a very effective Stourbridge outfit.

The space that City used so effectively last Tuesday against St Albans was denied to them as Stourbridge with their five man midfield worked hard to close down space and swamped City in the central areas. As a result, City all too often elected to hit long balls to striker Craig Hammond who was well marshalled by the visiting defence.

Midgley holds off his marker

City switched formation, but it had little effect in preventing Stourbridge from controlling the first half. It was not until manager Gary Roberts got his team in at half-time and reorganised things that City got a foothold in the game.

Stourbridge began with far more purpose than City and created a number on early opportunities, mainly from the precision dead-ball delivery of Sean Geddes. Twice he delivered dangerous balls into the box, Sam Smith coming closest, flicking his header over the bar.

Stourbridge’s 4-5-1 was working a treat with Leon Broadhurst and Josh Craddock working hard to support lone striker Ryan Rowe. Roberts’ countered this by dropping Neil Midgley back into midfield, but City failed to adapt and Hammond cut an isolated figure up front.

Stourbridge continued to control things and Geddes was unlucky to see his 20th minute pile-driver smash against the post and bounce to safety. Immediately the play switched to the other end and Hammond spurned a great chance when Lewis Solly in the visitors goal hit his clearance straight to the striker, but his weak shot was easily cleared.

Five minute on and Hammond did far better when he had Solly sprawling across his goal with a fiercely hit low drive that fizzed just wide of the post.

Stourbridge finished the half strongly with Geddes setting up Paul McCone with another pinpoint free-kick, the ball pinging off the outside of the post from his flicked header. Geddes was involved again soon after when his shot from distance forced a good stop from Zac Barrett low to his right.

Barretts claims the ball

City were far better after the break and Stourbridge were seen far less as an attacking force. In fact City looked far more likely to break the deadlock despite the Glassboys causing a couple of major scares in the City area.

Liam Nicell saw his shot fly over early on as City got forward in a much more threatening manner. However, they had to be on their guard as Stourbridge looked dangerous on the break. This was underlined when Sam Rock got in behind Nicell and drew a block from Barrett, Drew Canavan seeing his follow-up deflected wide.

The Lilywhites continued to press and Robbie Nightingale drew the save of the game from Solly as he turned away the midfielder’s curling shot. Hammond just failing to force home the rebound at the far post, crashing the ball against the upright.

Somehow Stourbridge failed to take the lead in the 68th minute when Aaron Griffiths’ cross to the far post picked out Rowe. A goal looked a certainty, but fortunately for City, Alex Lacey was able to clear off the line.

Luke Robins twice threatened for City. First with a shot that caused Solly little problem but then with a drive on the run that forced the big stopper to get down smartly and save with his legs. From the resulting corner, Stourbridge failed to clear, and the ball fell invitingly to Neil Midgley who blasted over from eight yards.

In the final moments, City had a claim for a penalty as Midgley went down as he entered the box. There appeared to be minimal contact with Rock and the referee called it correctly, waving play-on. In any case it would have been rough justice on Stourbridge had City snatched it, a draw being a fair enough outcome.