A look back at Saturday’s FA Trophy clash against Stourbridge…
By Matty Paddock - 09/12/2023
Posted 2 years ago
ASHLEY Hemmings bagged a hat-trick as Harriers eased through to the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy with a comfortable 4-1 win over Stourbridge at Aggborough.
In-form Hemmings took his tally for the season to eight with a superb solo showing in DY10, including two goals in the first half that really helped to put the tie beyond a stubborn Stourbridge outfit.
The opening stages were cagey as Harriers searched and probed for a way through a determined Stourbridge defence, something they achieved on 14 minutes when Ryan McLean netted his first Harriers goal. The loanee did well to capitalise on a defensive lap to steal the ball and take it beyond the goalkeeper and finish into an unguarded net.
Looking back, you’d say that early goal punctured the Glassboys resistance sufficiently to turn the tie decidedly in Harriers favour. That was further evidenced by the fact Harriers were 3-0 within a further ten minutes.
The second came on 23 minutes from the penalty spot. McLean looked set to beat Price once more before the goalkeeper fouled him in the area to the award of a penalty. Hemmings sent Price the wrong way, but the kick was re-taken due to encroachment – not something that deterred Hemmings who promptly stepped up and repeated the trick.
It was 3-0 on 34 minutes and McLean was involved once again; threading the ball expertly through to Hemmings who, in turn, composed himself brilliantly before drilling the ball under Price and into the net.
Price denied Ben Tollitt just after that as he ensured the score rose no further until the break, Dibble making his first save of the day eight after the hour as he held on to a a Jack Fletcher effort.
That had been the first effort of a quiet second period, but Aggborough roared once more two minutes later when Hemmings struck again, taking the ball the length of the half before taking it around Price and finishing sweetly for his first Harriers hat-trick.
At that stage the game opened up again, chances raining down on Price as debutant Gold Omotayo set up Tollitt for a shot, before Tollitt’s free-kick needed a good turn around the post.
In the final minute of the 90, Dibble saved well from Jack Wilson’s powerful effort, but the Glassboys breached the target seconds later through an impressive Niall Flint volley.
Get the full team line-up and key match facts at The Match Centre
This article is about: Match
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
