HACKETT’S MEN GET UP AND RUNNING

DEFENDER Paul McCone came off the bench to hit the winning goal as Stourbridge chalked up their first pre-season victory.

Gary Hackett’s Glassboys started well but suffered a setback when their hosts opened the scoring against the run of play, striker Andy Nicol finding space on the edge of the area before firing into the far corner.

The goal came just before the half-hour and the visitors still trailed at the break even though Kaiman Anderson was just off target with a curling effort on 41 minutes.

Stourbridge, who will play in the new Southern League Premier Central division in the new season, handed a start to former Morecambe keeper Niall Maher and he pulled off a brave save at the feet of Luke Molloy early in the second half to keep his side in contention.

And on 58 minutes, the scores were all square when summer signing Robbie Thompson-Brown sent a curling effort beyond Dominic Richards in the Stourport goal.

Both sides created chances during an entertaining second half but it was the Glassboys who bagged the winner 11 minutes from time.

A Greg Mills shot was palmed away for a corner and from the resulting flag kick, McCone crashed a header against the woodwork.

Swifts, from the Midland League Premier division, failed to clear the danger though and from the ensuing scramble, McCone stabbed the ball into the net from two yards out.