Christmas came early for Glassboys Fans this year as we saw our side pick up three points in our first game of the festive period against Berkhamsted FC.

Leon Broadhurst made a number of changes to his side after last week’s defeat at Barwell FC. Charlie Price was back from injury and returned to the side whilst new signings Ethan Freemantle and Matt Richards also started. Harvey Portman also returned to defence as we opted for a change in formation, reverting to the three at the back which we saw at the start of the season.

Berkhamsted actually had the opening chance of the game as they sent a long ball forward which we struggled to deal with but Price blocked a shot at his near post before the linesman’s flag went up.

From there it was one-way traffic for large parts of the game as Freemantle was involved to win it well up high up the pitch before sending Niall Flint on his way down the right-hand side but his cross was blocked before it could reach any of his teammates in the box.

We would break the deadlock just two minutes later as Freemantle grabbed his first goal as a Glassboy! Flint delivered a corner into the box which was headed into Freemantle’s path by the defender and he made no mistake when smashing it into the back of the net!

Berkhamsted’s main chances came from set pieces and they had one just before the 15-minute mark but King was on hand to head it away - a theme of the afternoon for our back line who were strong all afternoon.

Alfie Steward would be the next one to create an opportunity for us as he broke down the line and forced the defender to clear the ball for a corner. Flint delivered it deep into the box but Portman’s header was just over the crossbar.

It wouldn’t take us long to double our lead through Brad Bood who also claimed his first goal in red and white! A tidy move saw him pick the ball up on the edge of the area and create some space for himself before striking the ball perfectly into the top corner!

He came agonisingly close to getting a second just before the break when a superb ball over the top from Forde landed perfectly for him just inside the area and he hit it sweetly on the volley, but the keeper denied him with an excellent save.

Freemantle did deliver a third goal just before the break as he scored his second of the game! He won a free kick just inside the half which Flint delivered into the area. It looked to be going out for a goal kick but Bood beat his man to the ball and crossed it into the box, leaving the keeper stranded, and Freemantle was on hand to finish into an empty net.

Half Time; Stourbridge FC 3-0 Berkhamsted FC

We continued the one-way traffic as the second half got under way and we were rewarded just three minutes into the half when Harvey Portman grabbed his first goal for the club! Flint’s corner eventually reached Joel Kettle who set Richards up to deliver into the box. His cross was headed into Steward’s path who misjudged an acrobatic effort but Portman was waiting to finish well and extend our lead.

Kettle would score his first goal of the season on the hour mark when another pinpoint delivery from Flint’s freekick reached him in the box and he calmly headed past the keeper to score our 5th of the afternoon!

A double change would happen shortly after as new signing Connor Stanley and Darryl Knights were introduced to proceedings in place of Niall Flint and birthday boy Charlie Dowd.

Steward nearly found himself on the scoresheet as Freemantle held the ball up before playing him through on goal, but the linesman’s flag went up before he could get a shot off.

That would be Steward’s final action of the game and he was replaced by Dexter Walters with 17 minutes left on the clock.

Berkhamsted had a couple of half chances as the game passed by and they won a freekick just outside the box which was sent straight out for a goal kick before Price tipped a hopeful effort from distance over his crossbar.

Stanley did well to win a freekick just outside the area which he took short to Darryl Knights. He delivered it deep into the box, looking for the head of King but it was headed away before he could reach it.

Stanley continued to cause problems out wide and he found Freemantle who spotted Bood arriving in space at the back post but his shot was wide of the target.

Another Glassboys freekick followed soon after when Freemantle was fouled on the edge of the area. Eyeing up his hat trick, the striker stood over it but his effort hit the wall before being cleared by a Comrades player.

Bood forced the keeper into another good save but he couldn’t keep us out for long as Dexter Walters added our sixth and final goal of the afternoon! Portman picked up the ball and drove into the Berko half before sliding the ball through to Bood. He delivered into the box and the ball eventually fell to Walters who smashed it home to score his 6th goal of the season.

Full Time: Stourbridge FC 6-0 Berkhamsted FC

A very good afternoon at the office saw us claim the three points and we will look to take that performance forward as we travel to Bromsgrove Sporting on Boxing Day.

From everyone at Stourbridge FC, we hope you have a brilliant Christmas and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday afternoon!