Skipper Paul McCone made his 200th appearance in red and white whilst Luke Benbow, on his return from suspension, got on the scoresheet to record his 100th Glassboys goal.

Marine, struggling themselves in the lower reaches of the Evo-Stik Premier table, started well and Dominic Reid saw an early shot well blocked by Aris Christophorou on the line after a driven free-kick from Mitchley took a deflection and had broken in his direction.

Matt Gould then had to be alert to deny Reid again from a Marine counter attack led by Florian Da Silva. His through ball let in Reid on the left hand side of the area, however Gould produced a good blocking save.

Kaiman Anderson saw a flicked header easily saved before Stour took the lead in the 22nd minute. Full-back Darryl Westlake carried the ball forward from mid-way and, after playing a nice one-two with Benbow, checked by a defender and then finished beautifully.

Seven minutes later, the Glassboys doubled the lead. Broadhurst was tripped in the box by Phil Baker and the reliable midfielder stepped up to fire the penalty down the middle.

Stour weren’t done there, however. Benbow brought up his century of Stour goals, latching onto a McCone clearance as the hosts appealed in vain for offside before firing past keeper Martin Fearon from 15 yards out.

Josh Green and Kaiman Anderson were booked before the break and McCone had to head away from under his own crossbar as Stour held a healthy lead.

The second half saw a professional performance from Hackett’s men as they managed the game well with a three-goal advantage.

Gould tipped an Adam Hughes looping header over early in the second period but Tom Tonks then went close with a rasping 30-yard effort after advancing unchallenged.

Anderson then played in Green who pulled his shot wide of the far post whilst Benbow also flashed a shot that went just past the post with thirteen minutes left after taking a return pass from Anderson.

Connor Gater made his long-awaited return off the bench but it was Josh Cooke, who had come on in the final minute in place of the injured Brandon Hague - himself a substitute - that had the final say in stoppage time when he found the top corner from 22 yards.

Stour tasted victory for the first time in seven Evo-Stik Premier fixtures and we now look to start a winning run against Rushall Olympic on New Year’s Day.

Stourbridge: Gould, Christophorou, Westlake, McCone, Pierpoint, Tonks, Dodd (Gater 68), Broadhurst, Benbow, Anderson (Hague 86 (Cooke 90)), Green. Subs not used: Duggan, Hawk (GK).

Attendance: 410

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

We welcome near neighbours Rushall Olympic to the War Memorial Ground on New Year’s Day, Monday 1st January 2018, for an Evo-Stik Premier fixture (3.00 pm kick-off), and we are then at home again on Saturday 6th January, when we welcome Mickleover Sports (3.00 pm kick-off).

Our next away match sees us make the journey South to Billericay Town on Saturday 13th January for the Buildbase FA Trophy Second Round (3.00 pm kick-off). Details of travel to this match can be found here.

YOUTH TEAM & ACADEMY

The Youth Team are back in action next week when they travel to Stratford Town for a MFYL game on Thursday 4th January (7.45 pm kick-off).

Our Academy team are not scheduled to play again until they host Chasetown on Wednesday 10th January (2.00 pm kick-off).

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

The Glassgirls are also taking a Christmas and New Year break, and will return to action on Sunday 7th January when they will entertain Rugby Town Ladies at Greenfields. Kick-off will be at 2.00 pm.

RESULTS – SATURDAY 30TH JANUARY

Ashton United 2-0 Sutton Coldfield Town
Coalville Town 0-3 Altrincham
Halesowen Town 1-3 Buxton
Lancaster City 0-1 Hednesford Town
Marine 0-4 STOURBRIDGE
Matlock Town P-P Warrington Town
Nantwich Town 1-2 Mickleover Sports
Rushall Olympic 1-1 Farsley Celtic
Shaw Lane P-P Stalybridge Celtic
Stafford Rangers 1-2 Workington
Whitby Town P-P Grantham Town
Witton Albion 2-2 Barwell