Men’s Section

Stourport Men’s 1st XI 3-0 Harborne Men's 2nd XI

Stourport men's 1st XI made it twenty wins out of twenty matches, with a 2-0 victory over their hosts Harborne 2nd XI in this Midland Division 1 match.

The match couldn't have started better for Stourport with Stefan Sekula releasing Dan Drew down the right-wing, who he the circle unchallenged, before delivering for Joe Schubert to tap in on the far post, for Stourport's first and Schubert's thirty-fourth of the season.

Harborne resorted to hitting long balls without really any clear-cut chances, as the match became a cagey affair. The best effort for Stourport came through Simon Claris, whose rifling shot, went, inches wide after running and evading challenges for eighty meters with the ball.

Stourport went further ahead after Josh Appleby was brought down by the Harborne keeper and Claris converted the penalty stroke. Stourport added a third after a late corner was saved from Claris only for Appleby to tap in from close range.

Stourport Men’s 2nd XI 1-3 Men’s Stratford 

In a match that didn't disappoint in its entertainment value Stourport men's 3rd XI took the lead in their 1-3 defeat by Stratford in this Midland Division 4 West match. Stourport took the lead early when Adam Leeke was fouled by the Stratford keeper, having taken advantage of an aerial, over the Stratford defence.

Leeke calmly converted the resultant penalty stroke to give Stourport the early lead. With an extra man, the home side was unable to capitalise with Jack Downie missing a golden chance after some great skill by Adam Leeke.

Stourport now reduced to ten players themselves was pegged back as Stratford leveled the scores before the break. Stourport had to withstand periods of prolonged pressure by Stratford after the break, succumbing to a goal from a penalty corner.

Another golden opportunity was squandered by Stourport, after James Styles intercepted a pass from a Stafford defender, setting up a 3 on 1. However some heroics by the Stafford keeper denied not one, but two Nathan Claris drag-flicks, the first of which was destined for the top right corner of the goal.

The visitor's keeper was again on hand to deny a double-deflected as the match was reduced to a series of counter-attacks, before Stratford secured the points from a penalty corner, late in the game.

Stourport Men’s 3rd XI 7-1 Aldridge & Walsall Men’s 2nd XI

Stourport men's 3rd XI had a convincing 7-1 victory over their visitors Aldridge & Walsall, in the Midland Division 6 South West. Two early goals by Captain David Knott and Harry* set the tone of this match, with Harry,* completing his hat trick by the halftime whistle.

Aldridge rallied in the second half scoring what turned out to be a consolation goal, but three more goals by Jack*, Mike Shaw, and Dave Stokes sealed the victory that takes the 3rd's into midtable with two more matches. Ian Roberts was Stourport's player of the match yet - dominating the midfield and the four youngsters continue to improve with every match.

Stourport Men’s 5th XI 7-3 Olton & West Warwickshire Men’s 6th XI

Stourport men's 5th XI secured a 7-3 victory over their hosts, Olton & West Warwickshire 6th's in the Midlands Men's Division 9 South West league. With just five minutes gone Lee Slipanczewski, opened the scoring with the first of his hat trick. Stourport had to wait another twenty minutes before David Henderson, scored the first of his hat trick in the twenty-fifth minute, and another Henderson goal made it three-nil before the break.

Henderson struck again to complete his hat trick five minutes into the second half before Slipanczewski rounded off his hat trick with goals in the fiftieth and fifty-fifth minutes, both whilst he was suffering from a pulled hamstring. Olton had their moments but two superb stops by Wayne Berry, in only his third match, along with the total midfield presence of Richard Collins prevented the home side from scoring more than three. Paul Hutton rounded off the scoring for Stourport after sixty minutes.      

Stourport Men’s 6th XI 0-3 Edgbaston Men’s 7th XI

Stourport men's 6th XI went down at home 0-3 to Edgbaston 7th XI in this Midlands 10 South West Division. A very young Stourport side found themselves 0-2 down at the break, with Wilf* making a very strong debut as he combined well with Elliot* and Reuben Lightfoot. All of which created chances but were unable to score and with Stourport pressing forward they conceded a late third goal.

Ladies’ Section

Stourport Ladies’ 2nd XI 1-2 Northampton Saints Ladies 1st XI

Stourport ladies 2nd thought they'd scored within the first fifteen minutes, in their 1-2, defeat by Northampton Saints in the Midlands Women's Premier League, but the goal was disallowed and the play pulled back by the umpires.

Stourport continued to pressure the home side but, after a couple of two one moves and Northampton were in on goal only for Racheal Clare to deny them. Stourport couldn't clear their lines and the home side took the lead just before the break. Stourport came out stronger in the second half with Stourport's player of the match, Hannah Johnson, running the midfield and supplying the forward line.

Stourport was rewarded with an equaliser after fifteen minutes when Sophie Tibbets leveled the scores after a slick play down the right-hand channel. Northampton fought back and a through ball to the high forward, undid all Stourport's good work as Northampton retook the lead. Stourport continued to push forward and worked hard to find an equaliser but it was not meant to be.      

Stourport Ladies’ 4th XI 0-4 Edgbaston Ladies 2nd XI

Stourport Ladies 4th XI entertained Edgbaston 2nd XI in the Midlands Women's Division 3 South West losing 0-4. Stourport had to battle hard throughout the match and put up a strong resistance against their third-placed guests. Spending large periods of the first half in their own half Stourport found themselves 0-3 down at the break.

Stourport continued to battle hard in the second half and as the half continued pushed forward themselves and managed to force a number of short corners, but Edgbaston still looked dangerous as they pushed forward and added a fourth before the final whistle.  

NB:* Names without surnames are junior players.

Report submitted by Stourport Hockey Club