Rushall Olympic 2 Stourbridge 0 - Report
A goal in each half earned Rushall Olympic three valuable points in the race for the play-offs and on the day it was a thoroughly deserved victory against fellow play-off rivals Stourbridge.
Stourbridge, playing their first game under new Manager Mark Yates were first to threaten when a long throw from Tom Tonks was gathered at the second attempt by Jonathan Flatt
The home side though were soon on the attack and on five minutes Jonathan Letford used his strength to send Danny Waldron away but the striker`s left foot shot was straight at goalkeeper Charlie Price.
Two minutes later it was Waldron who this time turned provider to set up a chance for Richard Batchelor`s but the midfielder`s attempted chip shot failed to beat Price.
Rushall kept on the front foot and a good run from Kieran Cook saw him get to the edge of the area but strike a left foot shot that was deflected for a corner and from the resultant kick, taken by Alex Moore, his attempted cross sailed out for a goal-kick.
On twenty two minutes the Glassboys finally put a good move together when Kristian Green found Tonks whose cross was headed down by Anthony Dwyer but Moore put a great block to deny Nathan Hayward
Three minutes before the break the home side took a deserved lead when Richard Batchelor sidefooted home Moore`s cross at the far post.
Stourbridge new boss Yates made a double substitution at the break but it made little difference as once again the home side pressed the visitors back. Waldron tested Price with a low shot and then a fine move involving Cook, Rowley and Moore ended with Batchelor shooting just wide
Rushall though doubled their lead in the sixty first minute when Rowley got to the by-line and his low cross was turned home by Danny Waldron.
Although the visitors tried to get back into the game excellent defending from the home side kept them at bay and apart from a shot from substitute Alex Nicholls it turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for goalkeeper Flatt and the home side.
