Jordan Archer hits the mark as Stourbridge edge thrilling play-off semi-final
Jordan Archer struck an extra-time winner to edge Stourbridge a step closer to promotion from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier, writes David Lawrence.
Visitors Workington twice came from behind to force this scintillating play-off semi-final to an extra 30 minutes before the Glassboys bagged their dramatic winner. They now face either Nantwich Town or Spennymoor Town in the play-off final on Saturday with a place in the Vanarama National League North at stake.
There was no indication of the drama that was to follow as the sides struggled to create anything of note and Stourbridge's 33rd-minute opener came out of the blue, Tom Tonks' free-kick into the area finding veteran Stuart Pierpoint, who had broken free from his marker before powering a header beyond keeper Aaran Taylor.
Boosted by the goal, the Glassboys almost doubled their tally seven minutes later when Luke Benbow headed into the path of strike partner Archer. He skipped past his marker only for the Workington keeper to deny him after sprinting off his line.
The home side went close again early in the second half when Benbow turned and fired goalwards but keeper Taylor was up to the task with a fine block.
Moments later it was Stourbridge keeper Matt Gould who was inn the thick of things as he pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to keep out David Symington's strike from just inside the area. Scott Allison pounced to turn in the rebound but the effort was ruled out as he was offside.
Symington was the most skilful of the Workington strikeforce and he duly hauled the visitors level on 69 minutes with a sweetly-struck free-kick which he curled around the wall and just inside Gould's right-hand post.
But Stourbridge rallied and regained the lead on 75 minutes when Benbow held off his marker before curling a shot in from just outside the area.
The frenetic pace continued with the visitors looking to grab a second equaliser and it looked as though their hopes ended five minutes from time when Allison shrugged off his marker only to put his shot wide.
But three minutes into injury-time, a corner was lofted towards in and defender Dan Wordsworth rose to head into the roof of the net forcing extra-time.
The Glassboys took the lead for a third time on 97 minutes. Good work from Tonks saw him steer the ball to Archer and he cleverly turned his marker before firing the ball over the advancing keeper and high into the roof of the net.
The Cumbrian side pressed for an equaliser but were kept at bay by some excellent defending and the safe hands of Gould.
