Positive display despite defeat

City can take plenty of heart from a positive performance in their opening JPL fixture irrespective of the scoreline.

The outcome of the match was ultimately decided in the second quarter when City undid their excellent work in the first and they could and should have been in front after creating numerous chances and were probably the team on top.

Fielding six new faces, the visitors started very brightly and almost took the lead when one of the debutants, George Hymas, broke clear of the Stourbridge defence and went one-on-one with the keeper, who produced a brilliant save to keep the ball out of the net.

Further good work on the left saw Hymas cross and the resultant scramble end with a Jesse Asomugah shot being blocked before the striker shot over the angle after excellent combination play between Matt Athey and Will Cottell on the right.

The latter was then thwarted by a superb last-ditch tackle after a nice interchange between Asomugah and Charlie Grubb. From the corner, the former found himself in space at the back post but scuffed his shot wide as the opening period somehow ended with City not in front.

City keeper Josh Reed-Jones was forced into action at the start of Q2 - making a smart stop after Stourbridge broke the offside trap.

However he was powerless to stop the hosts' next attempt as City dozed at a quickly taken free-kick.

Within minutes, City found themselves 0-3 down as, firstly, they failed to deal with a run down their right and then backed off to allow a a free shot to an advancing Stour player. A good block by Oli Sheahan and then a brilliant tackle by Sam Cotton prevented further goals.

After the visitors regrouped, Q3 was more even. Hymas saw his effort blocked after hesitancy by the home keeper, whilst at the other end, Reed-Jones did well to tip an attempt around the corner. Shortly afterwards though, Stourbridge increased their lead after creating an opening on City's left and squaring from the byline for another easy tap-in.

A fifth and final goal came at the beginning of Q5, which saw Reed-Jones make a couple more decent saves.

City never stopped battling and nearly got the consolation goal that their endeavours deserved but Cottell skewed off target after running onto a pinpoint Hymas cross.

Last season's opening JPL fixture against the same opponents saw City concede a double-figure scoreline so this was a much improved performance - one to build upon and that shows the team is moving in the right direction.