Stourbridge can handle pressure

Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett reckons his Glassboys side are better equipped to handle the pressure of a promotion chase after missing out last season.

Stourbridge continued their fine form with a win against local rivals Halesowen in the Worcestershire Senior Cup last week – building on impressive victories over Cinderford Town and league leaders Leamington in recent weeks.

Hackett's men are now third in the league – and in a better position to launch a promotion push, according to the Glassboys chief.

"We have more belief in ourselves this season, definitely. We were new boys last year and while we started very well I think over the course of the season some of the players learned the hard way that mistakes get punished much quicker," he said.

"But we've taken that on and I think we're in a much better position. The younger lads have got a bit more experience and no one will be getting carried away with our league place because we were there last season and didn't get in the play-offs.

"I'm very happy with the players at the moment. We're defending well and have cut out the errors, which makes a big difference. And we're managing to score goals too, which always helps."

Hackett has repeated his warning to his Glassboys players against complacency, but admits that the midweek win over Halesowen was very satisfying.

He said: "They're a league above us and our local rivals so any win is going to be a good one. It was a hard-fought game and we did well to pick up the win but we can't let ourselves get carried away by it.

"I always said that I want to judged on the league and not the cup, so we have to keep our good form up in the meantime."

Meanwhile, Stourbridge have written off Adam Bastable for two months. The striker is set to miss six to eight weeks of action with a knee ligament njury.