A STUNNING goal from Sean Geddes capped a fine opening day win for Stourbridge.

The midfielder unleashed a stunning volley to put the Glassboys 3-1 up an end any hopes of a comeback from the visitors.

Sam Rock and Ben Billingham had earlier put the hosts two up but Jamie Hatch pulled one back with a 30 yard effort.

Geddes’ goal reduced the home side’s nerves and Chris Knight made the win more emphatic with a fourth in stoppage time.

Much of the pre-game talk was whether Stourbridge would have the firepower to make their mark in the Southern League Premier this term.

On this evidence, such questions were foolhardy as they cruised to a 4-1 win without ever really getting out of second gear.

True, there were a few moments of worry when Hatch had got Arlesey back into it with what everyone presumed would be the goal of the game.

But Geddes had other ideas. The technique and execution of his goal was simply sublime and the visitors looked a beaten side from then on, allowing the hosts to play out the final 15 minutes in relative comfort.

Tougher tests are just around the corner, Leamington away on Tuesday night being the first. But the opening day of the season is notoriously unpredictable and Stourbridge can take great confidence from this win.

Despite the two goals, the first half wasn’t particularly spectacular and more than ten minutes had passed when Billingham had the first shot of the game, which was gathered at the second attempt by Abbey.

But less than 60 seconds later Hatch spurned a wonderful chance to put the visitors in front. Chris Dillon played in the striker but with just Solly to beat, he dragged his shot wide of the post.

In keeping with the lack of goalmouth action, the next activity for either keeper was Abbey having to pick the ball out of the net. Rock beat his man on the left wing and cut inside. The forward looked up to cross as he bore down on goal but with his next move swept a fine low shot past the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Leon Broadhurst forced Abbey into a save at his near post as Stour looked to press home their advantage. Arlesey’s only chance came when captain Ryan Frater headed over after connecting with a long free-kick.

Stourbridge always looked more incisive but even so Billingham’s goal came rather out of the blue. Like Rock, he picked the ball up out wide and moved into the box unchallenged before shooting low under Abbey – who will feel he should have done better.

The hosts were now well in control, Luke Benbow and Billingham both going close to making it three in first half stoppage time.

Arlesey needed to improve in the second half and they did so. Shane Blackett fired warning of their intent with a header which just cleared the bar, before Hatch put them right back in it with a wonder strike.

The forward picked up the ball in a central position 30 yards from goal and unleashed a shot which found the top corner of the net, via a deflection from Lewis Solly’s hand.

Suddenly Stour seemed a little nervous and the visitors could see a route back. Chris Dillon headed just over from another set piece and heart rates quickened again among the home support when Solly fumbled a Hatch long throw.

But then came Geddes to end any uncertainty. A cross from Billingham was cleared only as far as the midfielder 20 yards out and he flicked the ball up before directing a flashing volley past Abbey and into the top corner.

Arlesey had the look of a side who knew the game was up and Broadhurst tried his luck from distance as Stourbridge began to pass the ball around with more freedom.

Abbey did well to deny Knight after he had been played through by Billingham but there was little the keeper could do when the striker completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Geddes’ whipped in corner was met by Turton, whose looping header struck the bar before being nodded home by Knight from just a yard out.

GLASSBOYS: Solly, Rock (Turton 90), Griffiths, McCone, Geddes, Bennett, Lloyd, Broadhurst, Benbow (Knight 73), Billingham (c), Canavan (Hendrie 82) Subs not used: Dyson, Smith.

Goals: Rock 21, Billingham 34, Geddes 74, Knight 90+2.

ARLESEY: Abbey, Sagwete (Hunt 46), Davis, Prosper, Frater (c), Blackett, Thurlbourne, Burns (Forsythe 53), Dillon, Hatch (Goss 82), Hibbert Subs not used: McGovern, Bussey.

Goal: Hatch 55.