Stourbridge 2 Merthyr Tydfil 0 (From Stourbridge News)

Stourbridge 2 Merthyr Tydfil 0

11:20pm Tuesday 19th January 2010

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STOURBRIDGE made a winning return to action by grabbing all three points from an entertaining contest with Merthyr Tydfil.

The Glassboys went ahead midway through the first half when visiting skipper Paul Keddle could only deflect Drew Canavan’s cross into his own net.

Ryan Rowe doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time with a neat turn and finish, before Linden Dovey saw his appeals for a penalty waved away.

Merthyr dominated the closing stages without creating too many chances, Lewis Solly denying Jamie Rewbury in stoppage time.

The game was Stour’s first since Boxing Day and both teams seemed eager to impress in a clash played at great tempo from the very start.

Tariq Khalil had the first sight at goal for the hosts but shot straight at Solly, before Kris Leek sent a header just wide of the near post.

At the other end Canavan forced visiting stopper Andrew Delve into a good save.

Aaron Drake then shot straight at Delve following a swift counter attack, before the stopper brilliantly palmed away Ben Billingham’s low drive after the ball had broken to the midfielder outside the area.

The 24th minute saw a swift passage of play which changed the course of the game. First Solly was alert to deny Cortez Belle after the striker found space in the box, before Stourbridge broke quickly and the ball was played out to Canavan on the left.

The midfielder reached the byline and pulled back a ball which Keddle could only steer inside his own near post.

Merthyr hit back almost immediately and Nathan Bennett had to be alert to clear a dangerous looking cross. Steve Williams and Belle then both fired over when well placed.

Still the visitors pressed and Jamie Oliver did well to rob Belle after Khalil’s wayward shot presented the forward with a sight at goal.

Lee Hartshorn was then booked for a bad challenge on Canavan before a sublime piece of skill from Rowe doubled the advantage.

There seemed little danger when the ball fell to striker in the box but he showed great strength to hold off and then turn his marker, before curling a low effort inside the far post.

Dovey then headed wide in stoppage time as Stour finished the half on top.

Rowe twice went close to finding the target again during the opening exchanges of the second period. First the striker slipped when trying to convert Sam Rock’s fine cross, before firing over from a wide position minutes later.

The visitors still looked dangerous going forward and were nearly presented with a golden opportunity thanks to miscommunication between Bennett and Solly.

The keeper saved well from Belle, with Deon Clarke then sending a weak shot wide when well placed. Moments later there were loud appeals for a penalty at the other end when Dovey was brought down after being sent clear by Leon Broadhurst’s through ball.

The striker appeared to be tripped by Andrew Thomas as he was about to shoot but referee Alan Sheffield waved away the claims.

Merthyr were struggling to create chances thanks to some excellent Glassboys’ defending, Scott Armitage’s two weak and wide headers all they had to show for the pressure.

There was then a lengthy hold up as Drake was injured following what appeared a late challenge by Rewbury. Inexplicably, no card was issued.

With two minutes to go and time running out Khalil wasted a great chance to halve the deficit, firing over when well placed.

In stoppage time Thomas headed over and Solly denied Rewbury to seal three very welcome and hard-earned points for Stour.

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