In a weekend that saw Storm Callum hit most parts of the British Isles, it was perhaps appropriate that the August recruit from Stratford Town should prove to be the match winner.

Stourbridge showed two changes to their starting eleven from the Kidderminster cup tie with Luke Benbow and Greg Mills replacing Kaiman Anderson and Brad Birch who were both named amongst the substitutes.

On a blustery, but surprisingly mild Saturday afternoon at the War Memorial Athletic Ground, the play was rather scrappy at times as both teams had to deal with the conditions.

The first-time visitors from Hertfordshire had the ball in the net with just three minutes gone, however Sam Corcoran was penalised for a deliberate handball as he converted from David Mooney's right-wing cross and picked up a caution from the referee in the process after the 'goal' had been ruled out.

Luke Benbow had a good chance for the home side after 17 minutes when he raced on to a through ball and beat the visitors offside trap, but a heavy first touch took him a little wider than he would have wanted before his low shot from the left-hand side of the box rolled past the far post.

Three minutes later Royston had a decent opportunity of their own as the ball was slipped inside from the left into the path of James Potton in a surprising amount of space inside the area, but his weak shot was saved by Wren.

With 27 minutes gone Potton fed Josh Castiglione and his cross from the right was met by Chris Assombalonga who could only direct his header harmlessly wide.

Nine minutes later Royston had a second goal wiped out to the chagrin of their vociferous boss Steve Castle as a free-kick from Corcoran was headed in by Assombalonga, however an assistant's flag for offside came to the Glassboys rescue.

Other than the Benbow chance, Stourbridge had struggled to create much of note, but on the stroke of half-time the hosts opened the scoring as Rob Thompson-Brown fastened on to a reverse pass from Benbow and dinked the ball over the advancing Joe Welch as he went to ground for his first competitive goal for the club.

The Glassboys made a change for the second period with Aris Christophorou replacing the injured Westlake.

Stourbridge went close to a second goal within a minute of the re-start. Thompson-Brown hooked the ball over from the right into the near post area where Benbow sent a header narrowly wide.

Thompson-Brown was in the thick of the action again three minutes later with a low 25-yard shot past Welch's right-hand upright, but Royston got back on level terms in the 52nd minute after Paul McCone conceded a free-kick in a dangerous area. Corcoran cracked his set-piece from 25 yards out goal-wards and Wren spilled the ball which allowed Assombalonga to tap home the equaliser.

The visitors pressed again on 58 minutes with Mooney played the ball in to Corcoran just inside the box who saw his shot on the turn clutched by Wren and three minutes later Corcoran tested Wren once more as he fired in a free-kick from just outside the left-hand side of the box that was dealt with well by the Stour custodian as he pushed the ball away.

Anderson replaced Mills on 62 minutes later and a minute later the hosts were back on the attack as Benbow challenged for the ball and it fell to Thompson-Brown and he let fly with a 20-yard shot that flew past Welch's right-hand post.

A flash-point twenty minutes from time ended with Assombalonga collecting a yellow card and five minutes later Birch was sent on in place of Broadhurst to provide some fresh legs.

Benbow went close with a 20-yard free-kick that just cleared the crossbar before the home side regained the lead on 88 minutes. Benbow challenged and eased out Jordan Norvell-Williams in the right channel area before Powell collected the ball and produced a sumptuous curling finish with the outside of his right foot beyond Welch.

Steve Castle, feeling his side weren't getting the 'rub of the green' boiled over that a free-kick hadn't been awarded in the build-up and left his technical area to make his point known to the match officials. He was then ordered from the dug-out by the referee and he departed rather like a panto villain leaving the stage.

There was six minutes of time added on which the Glassboys saw out and indeed they might have even added a third right at the death following a counter attack as Anderson found Benbow who passed to Powell on the right-hand side of the box, however he could only shoot into the near side-netting.

The hosts may have been fortunate to get the win on the overall balance of play, it was nevertheless a big three points against a side that have every chance of being in the mix come the end of the season.

Stourbridge: Wren, Hayden, Brown, McCone (c), Westlake (Christophorou 45), Forde, Powell, Broadhurst (Birch 76), Benbow, Thompson-Brown. Mills (Anderson 62).
Unused subs: Pierpoint, Steele

Booked - McCone, Powell