Ezewele cup-tied as Stourbridge play host to Eastleigh

Posted Friday, November 08, 2019 by PA

Stourbridge boss Ian Long will be without two players for his side’s all-non league FA Cup first-round clash with Eastleigh.

The Southern League Premier Division Central side, in the first round for the sixth time in 10 seasons, have defenders Josh Ezewele cup tied and Ash Carter suspended for the game at their War Memorial Athletic Ground.

Ezewele previously played for Alvechurch in the competition, while Carter was dismissed for dissent in last Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Needham Market and serves the first game of a two-match ban.

Long has no injury concerns, with a fully-fit squad training on Thursday evening.

National League Eastleigh are hoping to have defender Joe Partington and striker Marcus Barnes involved.

Partington is 50-50, according to manager Ben Strevens, after only training for one day this week due to a calf problem, while Barnes is certain to return after training all this week following a three week lay-off with a hamstring injury.

The Spitfires are without four other players with long terms injuries in defenders Callum Baughan (ACL), Michael Green and Alex Wynter (both ankle) and midfielder Jack McKnight (hamstring).

Eastleigh, who have progressed past this stage in each of the last three campaigns they have reached the first round, have history on their side as they beat Stourbridge 2-0 in a second-round tie four years ago.