Glassboys reach Birmingham Senior semis (From Dudley News)

Glassboys reach Birmingham Senior semis

3:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in Football

STOURBRIDGE booked their place in the Birmingham Senior Cup semi-finals this week following an exciting 3-1 win over a youthful Birmingham City side.

The Glassboys had to come from behind, Luke Benbow levelling with 11 minutes remaining before Leon Broadhurst and a second Benbow strike deep into stoppage time sealed victory against the Blues.

Stourbridge manager Gary Hackett said: “It was a similar Birmingham side that knocked us out of the competition last season, made up mainly of Academy players, but they were still a strong side and I thought they were better than us for the first hour.

“However, we stuck to the task and finally made it through, which is always pleasing.”

The Glassboys are already assured of featuring in one cup-final this season as they will now meet Redditch United for the Worcestershire Senior Cup, the Reds having disposed of Kidderminster Harriers in their semi-final this week.

But their Southern League form continues to fluctuate following a 1-0 beating at home to Bedford Town this week, a result which prevented the Glassboys from going second in the Premier Division.

Boss Hackett said: “It was a game we didn’t deserve to lose.

“But we probably didn’t do enough to win it either.

“Bedford scored from one of their rare attacks, while we struggled to break them down.

“We had enough chances to win the game, but we didn’t take them.

“We’ve played a lot worse this season and won, but now we have to make sure we bounce straight back.”

The Glassboys travel to Chesham United this Saturday before entertaining AFC Totton on Tuesday night at Amblecote.

Stourbridge will be missing Drew Canavan who suffered a nasty clash of heads during the game with Blues and required eight stitches to a gash above his eye, while recent recruit James McPike is also ruled out with an ankle injury.