Mixed emotions for Stourbridge after FA Cup draw
Stourbridge boss Ian Long admitted to having mixed emotions following his side’s 2-2 draw with National League visitors Eastleigh.
His pride and delight at seeing his players match their higher-ranked opponents was obvious, but he was left wondering what could have been if certain key decisions had gone the way of the Glassboys.
Stourbridge twice led through Aaron Lloyd and Will Grocott, only for the visitors to level through Tyrone Barnett and Scott Rendell – although there was a question mark over the latter and also a Rendell penalty that was saved earlier in the game.
Long said: “I’m immensely proud – every one of them worked so hard. We tired a little bit late in the game, but I thought we had chances to win in and it could have gone either way in the end.
“James Wren has made a great save from the penalty, but the lads actually tell me there was no contact so that’s disappointing as the referee has probably got that one wrong.
“They also say that the equaliser was potentially offside as well.
“From where we were, we couldn’t see that, but I just felt a lot of decisions went against us throughout the 90 minutes – little ones that make a big difference.
“So we’re a little bit disappointed with some of the decisions, but still immensely proud of the lads.”
And Long also paid tribute to those off the field. He added: “They’ve done it that many times now it’s just old hat to them.
“They’re just really, really organised and well-run.”
