FA Cup Second Qualifying Round: Stourbridge 3, Dunkirk 1

THE Glassboys booked their place in Monday's draw for the next round following a somewhat bruising battle with Nottingham based Midland League minnows Dunkirk, writes Nick Pullen.

In truth the margin of victory could have been considerably wider but Dunkirk goalkeeper Jake Want kept the scoreline down with a series of superb saves.

He could do little about Stourbridge's seventh minute opener, Drew Canavan keeping his feet after being tripped as referee Jon Kenny allowed advantage to be played when Chris Lait was set free down the left and the livewire Lait cleverly cut inside two defenders before slotting home.

Stourbridge strived to press their advantage home and twice Stuart Pierpoint was denied by Want, his first effort, a goalbound header being spectacularly turned onto the crossbar by the 'keeper on 16 minutes from a Leon Broadhurst corner.

Dunkirk weathered the early storm and their spirits were lifted just before the half hour when Pierpoint headed Macauley Diuk's right wing cross into his own net.

Stourbridge soon hit back. Want made a point-blank save to keep out striker Karl Hawley on 34 minutes, but within seconds, Hawley restored the lead after Tom Tonks and Matt Dodd combined to draw Dunkirk's defence out of position before Tonks squared the ball for Hawley to side-foot home.

Dunkirk came out for the second half with all guns blazing but it was Stourbridge who created the better chances.

Canavan missed a clear opening on 55 minutes after Dodd had tormented Dunkirk's defence while Pierpoint headed off his own line in a crowded goalmouth following a rare threat from the visitors.

It was the irrepressible Pierpoint who finally put the tie to bed on 62 minutes, heading home at the far post from well placed Broadhurst corner.

Credit to Dunkirk, who kept going although they had to thank Want for preventing further goals as the shotstopper left his best save until last, diving full stretch to keep out a goalbound Broadhurst free kick.

Glassboys boss Gary Hackett claimed: "I thought they were struggling to hang onto us at times and the scoreline was probably much closer than it should have been. But the most important thing is that we won and we're into the next round.

"It's important for every club at our level to have a good FA Cup run and we'll be hoping for a home draw."

Stourbridge: Solly; Green, Scarr, Tonks (Harris 69), Knight, Pierpoint, Dodd, Broadhurst, Hawley, Canavan (Smikle 61), Lait (Billingham 69). Subs not used: McPike, Penny, Hill.

Attendance 322