Two goals at the end of the first half from Leon Broadhurst and Luke Benbow ensured Stour did the double over Warrington following the 5-1 win in Cheshire earlier this season.

There was a double dose of good news before kick-off as it was confirmed that youth team captain Jake Evans and first-team defender Darryl Westlake had signed contracts for next season.

Warrington needed a positive result to ensure they finished second and secure home advantage in the play-offs.

And the Yellows took the lead in the 14th minute after a relatively quiet start to the game. Winger Mekhi Lecock-McLeod did well down the right, turned inside past two Stour defenders and his low ball into the box was turned in by Joseph Piggott.

Stour went close five minutes later but skipper Paul McCone headed Luke Benbow’s deep free-kick just wide.

Aaron Forde fired wide from distance before he then set Luke Shearer free down the right and his dangerous cross caused problems but Warrington keeper Luke Pilling did just enough to divert the ball to safety.

Lecock-McLeod was a constant thorn in Stour’s side and beat Louis Hall again down the Warrington right. His cross eventually fell to Mathias Bakare on the edge of the box but his curling shot went just over.

Warrington were good value for their lead but things changed in the blink of an eye. Leon Broadhurst headed home a Chris Gallagher corner two minutes before the break for his 19th of the campaign and on the stroke of half-time, Stour were ahead.

Shearer did brilliantly down the right, somehow got the ball across the box to Benbow and he cheekily diverted the ball past keeper Pilling with a back-heel flick for his 15th of the season.

Stour started the second half well, Benbow having a low shot saved by Pilling before Matt Gould had to make a good save in the 57th minute to deny Bradley Barnes.

That proved to be Gould’s last action as he was then replaced by young keeper Peter Hawk, making his first-team debut.

Josh Cooke and Aris Christophorou were also introduced into the action as Warrington, desperate for the three points, started to put more pressure on a resolute Stour defence.

Stour were penned back in their own half for the final ten minutes but for all of their possession, Warrington were unable to create any clear chances and Gary Hackett’s men held on reasonably comfortably.

It meant the Glassboys signed off from the Northern Premier League in style with victory in our final game ahead of our move to new ‘Central’ Step 3 division next season.

Stourbridge (4-3-2-1): Gould (Hawk 57); Hayden, McCone, Pierpoint, Hall; Gallagher, Forde, Broadhurst; Shearer (Cooke 66), Carnat; Benbow (Christophorou 72). Subs not used: Hague, Antonio.

Attendance: 473

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Our next game, and our only remaining fixture this season, will be the Birmingham Senior Cup Final against Evo-Stik Premier rivals Hednesford Town. The match will take place at St Andrew’s, home of Birmingham City FC, on Tuesday 8th May (7.45 pm kick-off).

Supporters’ coaches will run to the match, departing from the War Memorial Ground at 5.45 pm. The fare will be £5, and bookings can be made on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting Jim McComish on 07966 568767 (after 5.30 pm on weekdays).

YOUTH TEAM

The Youth Team, currently top of the MFYL Premier Division South, welcome Hereford on Monday, 30th April, and then travel to Stratford Town on Wednesday, 2nd May (both 7.45pm kick-offs).

EVO-STIK PREMIER RESULTS – SATURDAY 28TH APRIL

Altrincham 3-0 Hednesford Town
Coalville Town 2-5 Rushall Olympic
Farsley Celtic 3-0 Marine
Halesowen Town 2-0 Stalybridge Celtic
Mickleover Sports 3-3 Barwell
Nantwich Town 0-3 Stafford Rangers
Shaw Lane 2-1 Matlock Town
STOURBRIDGE 2-1 Warrington Town
Sutton Coldfield Town 1-2 Grantham Town
Whitby Town 1-1 Buxton
Witton Albion 2-0 Lancaster City
Workington 1-2 Ashton United