STOURBRIDGE are continuing their love affair with the FA Cup after making it through to the second qualifying round of the historic competition.

The Glassboys will invite Leamington to Amblecote on September 22 after a “deserving” 2-1 win at Highgate United on Saturday.

Backed by large travelling support, Stourbridge went ahead on 29 minutes. Aaron Forde and Luke Benbow linked up to slip in Kaiman Anderson who produced a cool finish under the keeper for his first goal of the new campaign.

After going into the break with a 1-0 lead, Glassboys managed to double their advantage early in the second half. A deep left-wing corner from Greg Mills was met by Aaron Hayden ahead of the keeper and his header flew into the net.

Robbie Bunn set up an interesting last half-an-hour though when he pulled a goal back for Highgate in the 61st minute. The hosts were awarded what appeared to be a soft free-kick 20-yards out and Bunn made the most of it with a cracking strike that gave James Wren no chance.

Stourbridge suffered a blow on 70 minutes when Mills – who remains a doubt for this week’s league matches with St Ives and Alvechurch – pulled up suddenly chasing a ball out wide and he was replaced by recent signing Chekaine Steele.

The Glassboys saw out the remaining time to secure a second qualifying round tie with Leamington, and boss Gary Hackett was full of praise for his players.

“I was pleased with the performance, very much so,” he said. “It was always going to be a tricky tie as there was pressure on us being the favourites, but we deserved the win.

“We’re usually the underdogs in the FA Cup, but the players coped with the situation well.

“The FA Cup is so important to clubs at our level. Obviously the league is your bread and butter, but a run in the FA Cup can do so much for your club, and for the directors it’s probably more important than the league.

“We know Leamington will be favourites as they are doing well in a higher division, but they will have the pressure of the occasion.

“I have a lot of respect for Paul [Holleran], their manager. We confide in each other and have already had a chat ahead of what we expect to be a very good game.”

Stourbridge will be back in league action this weekend as they face back-to-back away trips to St Ives Town on Saturday, before heading to Alvechurch on Tuesday night.