Stourbridge 4, Belper Town 0

LUKE Benbow blasted four first half goals as Stourbridge proved too strong for newly-promoted Belper Town at Amblecote tonight.

The in-form Glassboys' hitman ran riot as the home side put the game away inside 45 minutes.

He converted a sharp chance after just three minutes. Ben Billingham's trickery led to Louis Harris having a goal-bound effort half cleared by the scrambling Belper defence. The ball was quickly crossed back into the danger zone where Benbow turned the ball home from close range.

Belper had no answer to Stourbridge's quick start at the War Memorial Ground and were soon on the backfoot once more.

The Glassboys started life without influential play-maker Sean Geddes in fine fashion.

Stourbridge looked dangerous in all areas of the field despite the loss of the midfielder to Worcester City earlier today.

The advanced role of wing-back Kyle Harris proved a good outlet down Stour's right hand flank.

It was his well-timed foray forward after 12 minutes that led to the home side's second.

He won a corner that was taken by Billingham to pick out unmarked Benbow. His downward header from just outside the six yard box doubled his team's advantage.

Belper's first opportunity came after 20 minutes when kepper Dean Coleman looked to have been fouled as he came to collect a corner.

The ball dropped to a Belper player in a packed penalty area but the chance was soon gone.

On 22 minutes, Benbow bagged his hat-trick to put the Glassboys well in control.

He raced away from the Belper defence to place a neat finish past the out-rushing James Matrin in the visitors' goal.

Town looked short of ideas and continued to opt for long-ball tactics in the face of continued Stour pressure.

Then, on the stroke of half time, Benbow completed his and Stourbridge's scoring.

Kidderminster loanee Reece Hales burst down the left channel before squaring perfectly for his strike partner to side-foot into the net from six yards out.

The only downside to a brilliant half was when the game's four-goal forward went down with a knee injury as the half was brought to a close by the ref.

He managed to walk off the field for the interval but failed to come out after the break and was replaced by Brian Smikle up front for the second period as manager Gary Hackett took no chances with his star man.

The second half was a much quieter affair.

The Glassboys dealt well with everything Belper had to offer but weren't quite as threatening with Benbow watching from the sidelines.

However, the hard work of Billingham, Kayelden Brown and Hales made sure Stour always possessed a threat in the final third.

Martin saved well at his near post after Hales had weaved his way into the box before firing low on 54 minutes.

Belper's best chance came on 68 minutes. Substitute Evan Garnett crossed to Colin Marrison but he turned his effort over the bar.

The Glassboys did just enough in the second period and the professional showing ensured they maintained their advantage until the end.

Stourbridge: Coleman, Benbow (Smikle 45), Richards, Ramsey-Dickson (Till 45) (Tye 74), Hales, Harris, Haynes, Broadhurst (c), Brown, Billingham, Fitzpatrick. Unused subs: Francis, Morgan-Parker.

Belper: Martin, Jones (Thompson 67), Dudley, Ross, Varley, White (Edridge 48), Marrison, Warne (c), Wells, Harrison, Stevenson (Garnett 67). Unused subs: Ward, Low.

Att: 372.