One, eight, ten, and nine hundred and nineteen are just a few of the numbers that make up the Glass Girls’ season so far.
Stourbridge have experienced a remarkable rise up the football pyramid, securing two promotions in as many seasons to reach the fourth tier.
However, not content with dwelling on their success, Andy Fisher’s side has made an immediate impression on the rest of the FAWNL Division One Midlands and currently sit top of the table heading into the business end of the season.
We highlight some of the numbers from their season so far in the FAWNL Division One Midlands as the Glass Girls push for a third consecutive promotion.
2.70 – Points win prizes
Stourbridge have so far averaged 2.70 points per game this season – 0.38 points per game more than last season’s FAWNL Division One Midlands champions, Boldmere St Michaels.
More importantly for the Glass Girls though, they’re currently 0.45 points per game better off than title rivals, Doncaster Rovers Belles, who have the second-highest points per game average in the division.
2 – Two Deasy
The distinction of scoring this season’s fastest goal belongs to Niamh Deasy, who scored the first goal in a 7-0 win against Lincoln City in only the second minute, closely followed by Amber Lawrence who bagged Stour’s second goal of the afternoon sixty seconds later.
7 – The safest hands in the West Midlands
A formidable figure between the sticks, Amie Preston has kept seven clean sheets, making her the current frontrunner for the FAWNL Division One Midlands Golden Glove award. The Stour shot-stopper’s impressive record of keeping attackers at bay is not only the best in the division but in the entire fourth tier.
Overall: 70%. Home: 60%. Away: 80%.
119 – And counting…
Stourbridge have led the division since beating Posh 4-0 at the War Memorial Ground on 18 September and not looked back.
That’s 10,281,600 seconds, 171,360 minutes, 2856 hours or 118 days. And counting…
5 – Player of the Year in the making?
Millie Rogers has so far earned an impressive five Opposition Player of the Match awards this season – the joint-most in the division.
Rogers was singled out for her performances by Long Eaton United, Wem Town, Leek Town, Sporting Khalsa, and Lincoln City, and could well walk away with the FAWNL Division One Midlands Player of the Year award at the end of the season if she maintains the same level of consistency.
1 – One and, so far, done
Stour have fallen to defeat on just one solitary occasion this campaign, losing 2-0 to Sheffield FC on the opening day of the season as the Glass Girls got off to a less than desirable start to life in the fourth tier.
Since then, however, Stourbridge haven’t trailed for a single minute, nor have they failed to score.
12 – Golden Boot
While Preston chases individual honours at one end of the pitch, Niamh Deasy is firmly in the mix at the other.
With 12 goals in 10 appearances, Deasy, whose goalscoring exploits this season include a spectacular 8-minute hat-trick against Long Eaton United, has been in superb form to amass a slender lead in the Golden Boot race.
233 – War Memor-able Stadium
A season-high crowd of 233 were treated to four second-half goals in a 4-0 against Peterborough United at the War Memorial Ground – which, at present, is the fifth-highest attendance in Division One Midlands this campaign.
4.10 – Goals, goals, goals
The Glass Girls have found the back of the net an average of 4.10 times per game so far this season, scoring an average of 5.60 goals per game on home soil and 3.00 on the road, making Andy Fisher’s side the most prolific team in Division One Midlands by a fair margin.
7 – Magnificant seven
Seven players have appeared in every league match this term – Alex Nicklin, Niamh Deasy, Millie Rogers, Amie Preston, Sophie Heaselgrave, Sophie Levick, and Ellie McGovern.
919 – Through the gates
Stour have attracted 919 supporters through the turnstiles of the War Memorial Ground across five league games, with a season average of 184.
Lincoln City – 178
Peterborough United – 233
Leek Town – 186
Long Eaton United – 172
Leafield Athletic – 150
31-35 – Always dangerous
Stour have proven to be a goal threat from virtually the first minute to the last this term – as can be seen in our goal breakdown below – but the Midlands side has enjoyed the most success just after the half-hour mark, in the 31st to the 35th minute of the match, registering six times.
Best of the rest
9 – The Glass Girls have won nine games in a row since suffering defeat on the opening day of the season, with an aggregate score of 41 goals scored, and two conceded.
22 – Andy Fisher has utilised a total of 22 players this term, including 20 different starting players.
10 – Strour’s 41 goals have been shared between 10 different scorers.
8 – The Midlands side currently enjoy an eight-point lead at the top of the FAWNL Division One Midlands – although this could be reduced to three points if Doncaster Rovers Belles take full advantage of their games in hand.
11 – In one of the most lopsided results of the season, the Glass Girls put Long Eaton United to the sword, winning 10-1 in their highest-scoring league game of the season.
1 – Manager Andy Fisher wasted little time in making a strong impression on the rest of the Women’s National League, winning the FAWNL Division One Manager of the Month for October – the first honour for Fisher and the club in the fourth tier, and not likely to be the last.
