Stour vow to bounce back
Stourbridge blew their chance to go top of National League Two on Saturday after producing an uncharacteristic performance that coach Neil Mitchell could only describe as "woeful", writes James Peacock.
Stourbridge blew their chance to go top of National League Two on Saturday after producing an uncharacteristic performance that coach Neil Mitchell could only describe as "woeful", writes James Peacock.
The 27-9 loss away to Redruth was only the second time Stour have been beaten in this campaign – but it was the first time that the coach has laid into his normally slick and stylish side.
He expects to see a response on Saturday at home to league leaders
Manchester. And Stour will need to give him one to prevent slipping further down the promotion contenders pecking order.
Redruth, who were among the pre-season title favourites, proved formidable opponents and ended Stourbridge's six game winning streak.
But it was the manner in which the visitors malfunctioned that has concerned the coach, who has taken no solace from a comment made by his opposite man which said the Cornishmen had played their best rugby for two years.
Mitchell said: "I heard that. But by the same token we allowed them to play and to concede 27 points was woeful – extremely disappointing.
"We knew it was going to be a tough fixture and we did not put our patterns together.
"Every time they had a chance to score they did; every time we did we either fumbled the ball or made a bad decision."
Neither side was short on motivation, with Redruth fighting relegation and Stour knowing that a win would send them top.
But the fact a side like Redruth are languishing at the foot of the table shows the division's depth of quality.
The coach has persistently warned – as expectations of promotion have grown apace with his side's recent form – that nothing in this league can be taken for granted.
Not that Stour were guilty of complacency, necessarily, but were rather victims of their opponents' newfound cohesion while suffering a loss of their own.
Other factors, like Stour travelling to Cornwall on the day of the game, were dismissively rejected by the pragmatic coach.
Mitchell said: "I do not know if you have got that from the players – but I do not accept that.
"A journey does not cause you to knock balls on and consistently make poor decisions.
"It might make you get out of the blocks slowly but after ten minutes that is out of the system. I refuse to accept the journey played as big a part as people are making out.
"It was not so long ago that I was playing the fixture myself, so I know.
"The loss was more to do with my selections than that."
The most notable, and controversial, omission from the Stour starting line-up was Sam Robinson, dropped in favour of Rod Petty.
It was a decision that did not come off - but whether the fly-half is recalled on Saturday against Manchester remains to be seen.
The Lancashire outfit make the trip south with a reputation for playing expansive and exciting rugby. The way the two sides' styles, on paper, should complement each other could provide a great spectacle at fortress Stourton Park.
Mitchell said: "It is not ideal having to play the league leaders on the back of our last performance but we are at home, both sides have won eight games so there is no reason why we cannot go out and win the game.
"The manner in which they have won has been impressive. They have scored eight bonus points this season, which tells its own story. But I am expecting to see a big response.
