Stourbridge striker search
Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett is beginning the search for another striker after new signing Keith Russell left for Pelsall to get match fit.
Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett is beginning the search for another striker after new signing Keith Russell left for Pelsall to get match fit.
Russell only signed from Bromsgrove a fortnight ago but after sitting out nearly four years of football it has been decided that he needs regular football to get back to his best.
Hackett revealed this week that the forward has departed for his local side Pelsall - with a return to Stourbridge pencilled in for when he's built up his match fitness.
"We had a bit of a chat with Keith this week and we have decided that it is in his interests to get a run of games, so he is going to Pelsall.
"It is better for him to go there and get his match fitness than sitting on our bench," he said.
"Without doubt he's missed a lot of football and that does have an impact. We can see from training that his ability is still there and he's a good finisher but he needs a run of games to get back to where he wants to be.
"We'll monitor the situation and when he feels confident we'll have another look at it.
"I might now have to look at bringing someone else in because Paul Danks is still two or three weeks away from coming back and we are a bit short of cover up front."
Hackett can at least rely on top scorer Mark Bellingham, who has hit six goals in 11 games.
With no goals in three games before today the prolific forward is enduring a barren run by his own standards - but Hackett is backing him to hit the goal trail again soon.
"Mark is a goalscorer - I never write him off. He gets into goalscoring positions and that is what you want to see as a manager.
"By his own high standards he's having a bit of a blip and he has missed the odd chance here and there in the last few weeks but that is not a cause for concern with him.
"You can guarantee that he will be up there with the division's top scorers at the end of the season."
Meanwhile, Hackett was philosophical about the club's FA Cup exit at the hands of Kings Lynn.
The Glassboys crashed out 5-0, but Hackett said he knew it would be tough.
