Stourbridge came flying out of the blocks to quickly knock their in-form Cumbrian opponents out of their stride. Five goals in the opening twenty-seven minutes as good as sealed the win with barely a third of the contest played.

With Brad Birch sidelined through injury, along with Chris Lait, there were returns for Tom Tonks in the centre of midfield and Matt Dodd wide right.

Dodd marked his return from injury with a pivotal role in the opening goal after 5 minutes. A raking cross-field ball from Luke Benbow skimmed off the head of Gari Rowntree and into the path of Matt Dodd on the right flank. He drove into the box before being tripped by Rowntree's trailing leg to win a penalty. Benbow duly stepped forward to send keeper Aaran Taylor the wrong way. Buoyed by the early goal the home side went close again after 8 minutes. Broadhurst measured a pass inside the full-back for Kayelden Brown on the left-hand side of the box and he fired in a cross-shot that flashed beyond the far post, just evading the stretching Dodd at the same time.

Workington threatened for the first time on 14 minutes with Conor Tinnion swinging in a free-kick from the right and Jason Calvert got in a downward header that was too close to Matt Gould.

Two minutes later Stourbridge doubled their advantage. Dodd wriggled his way through past three challenges into the area before electing to square the ball across to Jordan Archer, who saw his shot blocked by Sam Smith, however with the writing on the wall, Brown recycled the loose ball and stood up a cross from the left towards the far post where Archer netted his first Stourbridge goal with a powerful close range header.

With 20 minutes gone, it was three. Leon Broadhurst delivered in an inswinging free-kick from the right and Jack Duggan rose in the middle to direct a header against the underside of the bar. As the ball bounced down, amid appeals that the ball had crossed the line, Duggan reacted quickest to crack the ball past Taylor.

The hosts were now blazing a trail and there was little Workington could do. Brown made it four on 23 minutes. Dodd and Archer initially combined on the right and Dodd managed to get to the by-line before rolling the ball low across the six-yard area and when a visiting defender failed to cut the ball out, Brown was there to bundle the ball in on the back post.

The goal of the game though arrived in the 27th minute with Broadhurst providing a fine pass through the right-hand channel area for Benbow to fasten on to and the 'on fire' marksman drilled a superb low first-time shot past Taylor.

After that explosive start, play settled down after that as the visitors looked to salvage some pride, however Stourbridge almost notched again two minutes before the break when from a Tom Tonks left-wing corner, Duggan got in a header that led to a scramble at the back post before keeper Taylor cleared the danger.

As usual on these occasions, the second period couldn't live up to the opening forty-five minutes, however on 52 minutes Brown did go close to adding a sixth, but having received a pass from Benbow, he pushed his low shot past the far post.

The home side made their first change after 58 minutes with Jake Heath replacing Dodd, who had picked up a caution a few minutes earlier. A couple of minutes later Scott Allison might have done better after taking down a cross from the left, but he allowed Gould to smother at his feet. The Reds had another opportunity after 64 minutes as a through pass from Calvert released Jack Ryan through the centre, however he wasn't aware of the clear and present danger as Scarr quickly recovered his ground and timed his tackle well to halt Ryan in his tracks before the follow-up shot from Jo McGee lacked the power to trouble Gould.

Brandon Hague replaced Benbow in the 68th minute and just three minutes later he could have got his name on the score-sheet after Taylor came racing off his line to clear the ball towards half-way, but it was quickly turned forward into the path of Hague, however with the keeper back in his box but still off his line, the teenage striker was unable to send his shot over his head and Taylor gratefully grasped the ball in his palms.

Stuart Pierpoint replaced Scarr as the Glassboys third and final change in the 76th minute.

The Reds searched for a consolation goal in the latter stages, but the closest they got was on 79 minutes. McGee produced the initial run before sub Nathan Waterston laid a short pass back for Rob Wilson who saw his 25-yard shot curl inches over the top corner of the net.

This latest victory only lifts the Glassboys up to 10th, but Gary Hackett's men are now just two points off a play-off spot.

After the break next week because of the F A Cup, the Glassboys next two league games are against the teams immediately around them in the standings at the moment - Ashton United (away) on 10th December and Spennymoor Town (home) a week later.

Team - Gould, Green, Westlake, Tonks, Duggan, Scarr, Dodd, Broadhurst, Benbow, Archer, Brown

Subs: Heath (for Dodd 58 mins), Hague (for Benbow 68 mins), Pierpoint (for Scarr 76 mins), Smikle, Canavan (not used)

Attendance - 644

Our thanks to today's match sponsor HOLLYWOOD GOLF CLUB. We hope their party had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in our company.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

There is no midweek game next week, meaning our next fixture is the Emirates FA Cup Second Round tie at home to Sky Bet League One Northampton Town on Sunday 4th December, kicking off at 2.00 pm.

Please be aware that this is an "all-ticket" match and there will be no cash admission on the day. The latest ticketing information can be found elsewhere on the website.

The Glassboys then make the short trip to Sutton Coldfield Town two days later on Tuesday 6th December, for our delayed Integro League Cup First Round tie. Kick-off will be at 7.45 pm.

YOUTH TEAM AT HOME ON MONDAY NIGHT

The Youth Team return to Amblecote this Monday, 28th November, when Rugby Town will be the visitors in the Midland Floodlit Youth League. Kick-off will be at 7.45 pm.

GLASSGIRLS TAKE A BREAK

Stourbridge Ladies are without a match for the next two Sundays and return to action on Sunday 11th December, when they will play Redditch United Ladies at Greenfields in a West Midlands Women's League fixture. Kick-off will be at 2.00 pm.

RESULTS - SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER

EVO-STIK NPL PREMIER DIVISION

Buxton 3-0 Rushall Olympic
Corby Town 0-2 Barwell
Grantham Town 1-1 Skelmersdale United
Halesowen Town 1-2 Frickley Athletic
Hednesford Town 1-2 Coalville Town
Ilkeston 0-0 Whitby Town
Spennymoor Town 1-2 Ashton United
STOURBRIDGE 5-0 Workington
Warrington Town 2-1 Sutton Coldfield Town

Buildbase FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round

Altrincham P-P Blyth Spartans
Chorley P-P Stafford Rangers
Darlington v Marine (Sunday 27th November)
Matlock Town 1-1 FC Halifax Town
Mickleover Sports 1-1 Brackley Town
Shaw Lane 3-1 Nantwich Town