The 2024/25 Pitching Southern League Premier Division Central campaign gets underway on Saturday when St Ives travel to Stourbridge.

After a month of pre-season friendly action, the Ives will go into battle for the curtain raiser against a team who finished in 12th place last season, six points and three places below the Ives. The ninth position that the Ives finished was their highesgt place they have finished since becoming a step three team.

IVES TEAM NEWS

Ives go into the game on the back of a 3-1 victory in their final pre-season outing against AFC Dunstable last weekend. There are fitness concerns over Michael Richens who has been out with injury for some of the warm-up campaign. Elsewhere, new signing Alex Collard looks set to make his Ives debut at the heart of the defence alongside Jordan Williams. Debuts are also expected for the likes of goalkeeper Dan Wilks and midfielder Byron Lawrence. Whilst Peter Abimbola looks set to start after returning to the Ives during the summer. Elsewhere, fellow new signings Silvano Obeng, Gedeon Okito and Ethan Crearey will also travel as part of the squad.

INTRODUCING STOURBRIDGE

It will be a new look Stourbridge who take to the field for the opening game. In May, they appointed Liam McDonald as their new manager and has rebuilt the squad over the closed season. One of the new signings is goalkeeper Ollie Taylor who has made the switch from Bromsgrove Sporting where he made over 100 appearances. One of the latest signings is Elliott Durrell. The central midfielder joins after spells with Telford, Hednesford, Wrexham and Chester. Pre-season for Stourbridge finished with a 0-0 draw against Leek Town last Saturday.

LAST SEASON

Tuesday 12 December 2023: Stourbridge 2 Ives 0. Ives return empty handed after the Glassboys record a comfortable victory.

Saturday 13 April 2024: Ives 4 Stourbridge 1. Ives get their revenge as Theo Alexandrou gets the opener with Jonny Edwards and Josh Tomlinson adding to the score before Stourbridge pull one back. Greg Kaziboni restores the three goal cushion for the Ives 11 minutes from time.

GOING TO THE GAME

Like the Ives, Stourbridge have an online ticketing system, and they offer savings if you purchase in advance. Sales are also available on the door, but are £1.00 more. The online prices are below and the link to the ticketing website is HERE

Admission prices if purchased online in advance are as follows –
ADULTS – £13
OAP’s 65 & OVER – £10
JUNIORS 13-17 YEARS OF AGE – £7
CHILDREN AGED 6-12 YEARS OF AGE – £5 (must be accompanied by an adult)

Stourbridge FC
War Memorial Athletic Ground
High St, Amblecote
STOURBRIDGE
West Midlands
DY8 4HN

Kick-off is at 3:00pm