LIAM PROUD TO SEE IT THROUGH

BOSS Liam McDonald took pride in the way Stourbridge navigated a tricky FA Trophy tie that may not have happened – even if the reward was not exactly what he wanted.

- Andy Mitchell

Last Saturday’s third qualifying round tie with Matlock Town was thrown into doubt when visiting historian and statistician Mick Thorpe suffered a cardiac arrest before the match and had to be airlifted to hospital.

Thankfully, the efforts of two off-duty paramedics, an ex-paramedic, Stourbridge staff and Matlock director Kristen Duffy gave Mr Thorpe the immediate care he needed to pull through, the club reporting he was conscious and speaking later that day.

McDonald’s men progressed with a 3-0 victory that was understandably met with muted contentment rather than celebrations.

“There was quite an eerie feel throughout the game,” said McDonald.