Stourbridge out to banish heartbreak in play-offs

Trouble is, the hosts are looking to do the same.

This was the night a year ago when promotion dreams came crashing down for both clubs.

While Stourbridge were losing 2-1 at home to Gosport in their Southern League Premier play-off semi-final, Chesham were beaten 2-0 by Hemel Hempstead in theirs.

Tonight offers both a chance for redemption, with Hackett admitting last year's loss was one of the toughest in his decade long stay at the War Memorial Ground.

There have been perhaps more high-profile defeats but few as gut-wrenching, after a season of success on the pitch which had seen them finish runners-up to Leamington.

"You have moments in football when you look back and think if only," said Hackett. "That will always be one of those moments.

"We have had worse moments in terms of matches where we have not turned up. But in terms of disappointment, it would take some beating."

Hackett now acknowledges the hangover from the defeat may have played some part in what was an uncertain start to the current campaign.

The Glassboys have ended up fifth with just a point less than their total from last term but the season has not always run smoothly and Hackett has pulled off arguably his finest managerial work to date, giving the squad its biggest overhaul in years and maintaining the challenge despite injuries to some key players.

Crucially, they would appear to have momentum having been made to fight all the way just to make the play-offs and the pressure would appear to be on Chesham who still maintained aspirations of overhauling Hemel for the title until the closing weeks.

Stour can also point to a 1-0 victory in Buckinghamshire earlier this month but Hackett is under no illusions as to the task in hand.

"I've a lot of respect for Chesham, we have to make sure we are in the right frame of mind," he said.