Express & Star

Stratford 0 Stourbridge 0 - Report

Stourbridge saw out 2018 with a hard-earned point at in-form Stratford, a result that left assistant manager Jon Ford frustrated with the two points that got away.

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He said: “They are the best team at present - the form guide doesn’t lie - but we’re a little but frustrated because I thought we just about did enough to win the game.

“There was a definite penalty decision that didn’t go our way when the referee has given a free-kick on the edge of the box and contact was made inside the area.

“It was a tough, tight game. Both sides did the job defensively and it was a good game between two sides in form.”

There was little to choose between the teams in a below-par opening half although the hosts did hit the woodwork just before the break.

Luke Benbow had a chance on nine minutes for the visitors, pouncing on a sloppy back header from Will Grocutt but Town keeper Matija Sarkic was quickly off his line to block.

With just two minutes of the half remaining, Stratford carved open the best chance of the half when Grocutt’s free-kick to the far post finding Jamie McAteer but his header hit the upright.

It was the home side who had the first chance of the second period nine minutes after the break when Shawn Richards beat three players before laying the ball off to Wilson Carvalho but his shot was blocked by the visiting keeper.

Two minutes later and it was Stratford keeper Sarkic at the rescue with a decent low save to keep out Benbow’s snap shot from the edge of the area and the striker then lifted a 25-yard free-kick over the bar.

Midway through the half and another good run from Richards saw him set-up Carvalho again but this time a defender blocked the shot and Aaron Forde did well to clear the loose ball.

The Glassboys had the better of the final few minutes was one final chance for the visitors when Benbow let fly from 25 yards, a shot that flew just over the target, before the game finished with the points shared.