Promoted to the starting line-up Chris Wreh inspired Town to end the Diamonds 100%  record and topple them from the top of the fledgling League table.

A full report is now available under the First Team Match Reports Section.

It was a new look Town Youth side which opened their MFYL Southern Premier Division season with a challenging trip to face Hereford. Several of last term’s championship winners are no longer eligible for youth team football and the line-up at Hereford included only four of that team plus four under 16’s with the full matchday squad featuring nine players making their debut at this level.

It was therefore always going to be testing evening particularly after Jack Rosser fired Hereford ahead from a free kick which bizarrely had originally been given against them..

But Town showed plenty of spirit to hit back and level it all up before half time with an assured finish from Jamie Spiers after the chance had been set up by a great pass from Rob Sone.

Town then looked the better side after the break with Jack Ballinger twice going close with decent efforts, and it was against the run of play when Hereford regained the lead halfway through the second half through Archie Muirhead with Shaun Yalland then then making sure of the points for the Bulls with a third goal ten minutes from time.

“Regardless of the result it was a fine effort from a young team” was manager Nick Ballinger’s reaction afterwards “they can build on this and will develop throughout the season.”

With Nick Ballinger returning to the managerial helm Town Youth are preparing to kick off their new campaign in the MFYL Southern Premier Division next Thursday (August 22nd) with an away match at Hereford.

Town memorably surged to the Championship last season winning the title by a whopping 13 point margin from runners-up Worcester City, but a number of those players are no longer eligible for Youth team (Under 18’s) football and it will be a new look squad which will be looking to follow up that success this time round.

The only change in the make-up of the Division sees Solihull Moors replace Lye Town who finished bottom last season and have been relegated to the (lower) Southern Division.

After the Hereford game Town are at home to Evesham United the following Thursday (August 29th) before they travel to face Bromyard Town in the Preliminary Round of the F A Youth Cup the week after.

Pictures kindly provided by Steve Wood

“I changed our defensive shape today” admitted Tommy Wright after the breathless six goal epic against Kings Langley.  “we had one training session working on it which we didn’t even use in pre-season so I have to give the lads some leeway on that and I hope the supporters will understand.

But having said that  we didn’t do some of the basics of defending that I was taught as a ten year old..

This afternoon was more entertaining than last week against Needham but we got the result then.   I look at the goals they’ve scored and I feel frustrated.   We were too wide open in midfield and I felt their forwards got in too easily.

But we had plenty of chances particularly Nabil although  I don’t think he could have done much more and we have to remember that their keeper has puled off a couple of tremendous stops from him which he pushed against the post and bar .

Chris has come on and scored late again earning himself the super-sub label, but  I think that’s when he’s most effective  –  he’s an impact player all hustle and bustle and we have to make sure he’s properly wound up when he goes on.

So it’s one win, one draw and one loss and we’re a work in progress.  I said before I felt we would get better as the season went on.  We felt we had a winning formula during pre-season but then we had a couple leave the club and we’ve had to start again a little bit.

We have to get better defensively but today I thought that offensively we offered a lot more in attack and caused them problems.

it was probably a good game for the neutral but not for both managers !!

Looking ahead Liam Hughes will hopefully be back next week but Luis  Morrison will of course be suspended.   Both Cody Fisher and Kynan Isaac picked up knocks this afternoon so I need to find out where we are in terms of numbers in case I need to bring someone else maybe on loan with the Bank Holiday games in mind.

Our next two games against Rushden and Rushalll will be tough but I expect us to compete.   They are in-form teams but so were Kings Langley today  and we matched them  toe to toe.   We will obviously need to be tighter defensively in those games but I fully expect us to be.”

Another late strike from super-sub Chris Wreh rescued a point for Town in a six goal thriller.

A full report is now available under the first team Match reports Section.

Town begin their defence of the Southern League Challenge Cup with a home tie    against Halesowen Town in the Preliminary Round with the match scheduled to be played in the week commencing Monday September 9th.

For the full draw click on the link below.

https://www.betvictorsouthern.co.uk/News/119328/The-Southern-League-Challenge-Cup

Pictures kindly provided by Steve Wood

We weren’t good enough”was Tommy Wright’s typically honest assessment after seeing his side come off second best against the Glassboys.   “We were off the pace all over the park added to which I don’t think this Stourbridge side is as good as last year’s.

Clearly we missed Ivor who failed a late fitness test after getting whacked on the knee late on against Needham and we certainly missed Liam Hughes as well.

I’m gutted that not only have we conceded three goals but  we were carved open up too many times and  in the end 3-1 probably flattered us.    It was disappointing to see the team fold as it did.    It could have been worse and there’s plenty to work on in training on Thursday night.

I’ve no complaints about the sending off.    The challenge was reckless and stupid  and we’ve now got to deal with Luis being suspended for three games.

So we’ve got to pick up the pieces quick  to be ready for Saturday.   Hopefully Ivor will be back for that one and possibly Liam as well who will give us that physical presence we need up front.”

For the second successive season the Glassboys proved too strong for Town.

A full report is now available under the first Team Match Reports Section.