Ainsley banking on home advantage

Ainsley knows his runners-up in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight will need every edge they can find when they host the Glassboys at The Brewery Field, pictured, after both clubs went on memorable runs in the Emirates FA Cup this season and cancelled each other out with two draws in the season, a 1-1 draw at the War Memorial Stadium followed by a 2-2 draw in the North East.

Speaking on Friday ahead of the big 3pm kick to decide who follows champions Blyth Spartans into the National League, he told the EVO-STIK NPL Show's latest podcast: “I think home advantage is a big factor especially the midweek fixture as players had to get off work and travel. Saturday is not so much as Stourbridge will prepare right by coming up on the Friday night.

“We are good at home and have a good fan base and no matter what it will be a good occasion. Hopefully there will be 2,000 at the game. I think we will know what Stourbridge are about. They are an organised side who have an excellent fan base.

"They have the same goal as us, they set out for the promotion like we did. They have also had a great run in the FA Cup getting to the third round against Wycombe. On the day any of the four teams in the play-offs could have gone up but we are down to two and it’s fitting that it’s second versus third.”

The Moors beat Nantwich Town in Tuesday’s semi-final at home thanks to goals from Kallum Griffiths and Andrew Johnson in the final 15 minutes of the game. Stourbridge needed extra-time to see off Workington having taking lead twice through Stuart Pierpoint and Luke Benbow. After being pegged back with goals from David Symington and Daniel Wordsworth to take the game to extra time, the Glassboys won the game just seven minutes into extra through Jordan Archer’s goal.

Both clubs are bidding to play at Step 2 of the Non-League pyramid for the first time in their histories.

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