Daniel Udoh scored twice from Halesowen counter attacks and despite a Ryan Rowe goal in the second half, Stour couldn't salvage anything from the Number 9 Derby.

Boss Gary Hackett made two changes to the team that beat Coalville Town on Monday night. Stuart Pierpoint replaced the injured Darry Westlake while experienced striker Rowe came in for the unavailable Jordan Archer.

Aaron Forde saw an effort from Aris Christophorou’s cross just about pushed wide by Daniel Platt early on but Halesowen took the lead from the resulting corner.

The visitors cleared the ball in to the half way line, Udoh beat Tom Tonks to the ball, knocked it over last man Christophorou to race clear and finished superbly past Matt Gould in the sixth minute.

The goal gave the Yeltz plenty of confidence and John McAtee’s powerful free-kick from 25-yards was brilliantly kept out by Gould.

Devarn Green looked dangerous down the Stourbridge left and was knocked over in the box by Daniel Bragoli half way through the first half but nothing was given.

Stour then rattled the crossbar. Forde worked a one-two with Rowe and strode on before crossing the ball low to Jack Duggan but the defender’s powerful effort smacked back off the woodwork.

And it was from another Stour corner that Halesowen extended their lead. The Yeltz cleared a ball in, McAtee played a one-two with Udoh on the half-way line and raced clear before sliding in ahead of Gould to turn the ball across to Udoh who knocked into an open goal a minute before half time.

Devarn Green pulled a ball back for Leon Broadhurst just before the break but the midfielder couldn’t quite force the ball in from close range.

The second half started with a yellow card for Pierpoint after a foul on the impressive Udoh.

Hackett brought on Josh Green for Aris Christophorou, putting Green at left-back and shifting Pierpoint over to right-back.

Forde then had a stinging effort saved well by Platt and the Halesowen keeper did well a minute later to tip Paul McCone’s header onto the crossbar.

Dodd was brought down just as he tried to break into the penalty area but Stour still profited from the free-kick. Broadhurst fired a low ball into the danger area from the right-hand side and Rowe’s faint touch diverted it into the net in the 63rd minute.

Josh Cooke and Danny O’Callaghan were introduced with 20 minutes left and Cooke fired just wide three minutes later after Broadhurst’s effort was blocked.

Stour huffed and puffed and looked for a leveller, throwing Duggan up front in the final minutes, but couldn't find a way past a strong Halesowen defence.

Stourbridge (4-2-3-1): Gould; Christophorou (J Green 48), McCone, Duggan, Pierpoint; Broadhurst, Tonks (O’Callaghan 68); Dodd, Forde, D Green; Rowe (Cooke 68). Subs not used: Kiembi, Jeavons.

Attendance: 2,306

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Stour will gear up for a fourth consecutive home game when we welcome Macclesfield Town in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup. Ticket information can be found below.

Macclesfield Town FA Cup ticket information

Please note, Tuesday’s scheduled trip to Nantwich Town in the Evo-Stik Premier has been POSTPONED and will now be played on Tuesday 7th November.

Nantwich Postponement

YOUTH TEAM & ACADEMY

The Youth Team are at home again next Monday, 9th October, when they will again be facing local rivals, this time in the shape of Lye Town in the Joel Richards Memorial Cup (Birmingham County Youth Cup). Kick-off is at 7.45 pm.

Meanwhile, our Academy youngsters will be at home to Stratford Town on the Dudley College 3G pitch on Wednesday 11th October in the National League Under 19 Alliance (1 pm kick-off)

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

The Glassgirls are at home this Sunday against Solihull Sporting, looking to build on their first win of the season away to Rugby Town Ladies last weekend. Kick-off is at 2.00 pm at Greenfields, Swinford Road, Oldswinford DY8 2LQ. Admission is FREE.