STUDLEY assistant manager Vaughan Pearshouse heaped praise on the Bees after their 2-0 victory at Cadbury Athletic on Tuesday booked a place in the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup final.
The original semi-final was abandoned last month with the Bees leading 2-1 with eight minutes remaining after a Cadbury player suffered a serious injury.
The Bees were the better team on that occasion and were again so second time around as a 25th-minute Josh Westwood strike and Luke Dugmore’s firm finish ten minutes from time saw off the home side.
“It was a very good result and performance. We continued the excellent football we’ve been playing in recent times and thoroughly deserved to progress,” said Pearshouse.
“The players were on top of their game, kept the ball moving and executed our game plan very well.
“Young Brad Carter was excellent in goal for us too when called upon. He looks an outstanding prospect.
“I’ve also got to give praise to the referee who was outstanding. It was a fierce but fair battle and he kept the game flowing very well with only one booking.
“Hopefully there’s plenty more to come from us this season. We’ve got a two-legged Worcestershire Senior Urn semi-final against Bewdley Town or Littleton to look forward to and are confident we can secure our league status with the form we are showing.”
Westwood’s controlled finish from a tight angle capped a fine left-wing move before Dugmore’s precision strike ensured there was no way back for Cadbury and the Bees will now turn their attentions to Midland League Division One duty.
Studley’s next match is a key one at home to Heath Hayes on Tuesday and is the first of ten remaining league games.
Four teams are three or less points above the second bottom Bees, but none can boast the momentum Studley have as they sit third in the form table over the past six matches with games in hand on some of their rivals.
Pearshouse added: “We are a confident team at the moment and just want the games to keep coming. It was frustrating to see Saturday’s match at Pelsall Villa postponed but we are looking forward to Heath Hayes and know what we need to do.”
