A mixed Stourbridge line-up were given a good work out by a new look Cradley Town side put together by one-time Glassboy Russell Dodd with former Stourbridge striker Les Palmer also at Beeches View Avenue as coach, while ex- Stourbridge defender Stuart Hamilton was included in the home line-up as well.

Stourbridge had youth team goalkeeper Ryan Greenwood between the sticks and he can take great satisfaction from the game, making three or four good stops - particularly in the second half. Triallists Rob Whiteley and Adam Meacham played in defence alongside Craig Slater and Jamie Oliver, while another triallist Martin Hill was named in midfield with Scott Sumner later featuring from the bench.

Cradley started well and twice might have taken the lead in the early stages with Lee Onions flashing one shot narrowly over before the Glassboys settled. Aaron Lloyd saw his 8th minute snap shot saved by Ian Cooke before Stourbridge took the lead on 16 minutes. Adam Meacham played a fine pass through to James Cooper and his low cross from the left was turned over the line by Paul Lloyd in the centre. Aaron Lloyd went close on 39 minutes with a header from Drew Canavan's free-kick that flew inches over the bar, but four minutes before the break Paul Lloyd was brought down inside the box by Hamilton and Linden Dovey slotted home the spot-kick.

Ryan Greenwood made a couple of good saves early in the second half as the hosts pushed to pull a goal back, however on 67 minutes Stourbridge earned their second penalty of the night after James Cooper was brought down and Dovey sent Cradley's sub keeper the wrong way. Cradley continued to offer a threat going forward though and they were rewarded for their efforts with three minutes remaining as Marvin Whitter was put through and he made no mistake to make the final score 3 - 1 to the Glassboys.

Stourbridge: Greenwood, Whiteley, Meacham, Hill, Slater, Oliver, Canavan, P. Lloyd, A. Lloyd, Dovey, Cooper

Subs: Sumner (for Hill 62 mins), Plinston (for P. Lloyd 73 mins), Ford (for Slater 76 mins)

Photographs from Thursday's friendly at Cradley Town taken by Andrew Roper can be viewed at the link below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/andyropersportspix/CradleyTownVStourbridgePreSeasonFriendly#