STOURBRIDGE manager Gary Hackett admitted to being shocked by the superb support his side received during their FA Cup exit to Stevenage - writes Nick Pullen

Officially the Glassboys took a following to Hertfordshire of just over 800 - but it sounded more like 8,000 owing to amount of noise they made.

The supporters got behind their side from the word go and never let up - a point not lost on Hackett who paid tribute to them and claimed:

"The support was amazing, it fact it shocked me a little bit.

"They shouted us on from the very first minute to the last. They backed us to the very end.

"The scenes at the end were absolutely remarkable - you'd have thought we'd won the FA Cup!

In fact Stourbridge easily out-sung the home Stevenage support and rendered little ditty's such as '3-0! and you still don't sing' to the Hertfordshire faithful.

Hackett pointed to a number of key moments that could have made the game far more difficult for Stevenage, especially when striker Luke Benbow's third minute effort whistled the wrong side of the Stevenage post.

However, Hackett won't be dwelling too long on the Stevenage game and was quick to look ahead.

He wants to concentrate on getting Stourbridge right back in the thick of the Southern League Premier promotion race and said:

"It's been very difficult recently, having to play so many league game while the FA Cup run is still going on.

"Now that it's over, there's no excuses".

Stourbridge are back in action this Tuesday night when they host Wolves in the Birmingham Senior Cup.

Then on Saturday, it's back to the bread and butter of the Southern League with a home game against Arlesey Town before they entertain Frome Town the following Tuesday.

The club just hope they can keep hold of some of the splendid support that has followed them on their FA Cup journey this season.

 

 

 

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