SENSATIONAL Stourbridge put sorry Banbury to the sword with a devastating display of finishing, writes Nick Pullen.

Dangerous Drew Canavan cracked home the opening goal within two minutes as Stourbridge dominated from the word go.

Sublime Sean Geddes, who controlled the game for Stourbridge from midfield, supplied the second goal when he smashed home a low drive on 19 minutes.

And it was Geddes who caused the third goal, when his wicked free kick forced Banbury defender Jack Ashton to head into his own net.

The second half simply developed into a question of how many goals Stourbridge would score as Banbury's fragile defence was repeatedly carved open.

Sam Rock headed home within two minutes of resumption, the ball going in off the post, as Rock went onto complete his hat-trick with further strikes in the 76th and 83rd minutes.

Sandwiched in between was a Paul McCone header and a superbly taken solo effort from substitute Stuart Hendrie, who cleverly kept his cool when rounding goalkeeper Tom Cross before converting.

The only blot on the landscape was a fabulously taken free kick from Banbury's Igor Coronada who crashed the ball home from fully 30 yards out for the goal of the night.

Banbury could have bagged more goals at the death and it took a couple of top class saves from goalkeeper Lewis Solly to maintain the Glassboys goal difference.

Hard taskmaster Gary Hackett admitted to being happy with the performance and the Stourbridge boss claimed: "Very rarely in football do you get the chance to reach double figures, but that could have happened tonight.

"It's ironic that we've had three games at Amblecote where we've struggled to score goals but tonight we were emphatic. Then again, you can only beat what is put in front of you".

The result keeps Stourbridge right on the heels of league leaders Leamington, but the Glassboys will have to bide their time before playing again as they have no fixture this Saturday owing to their early FA Cup exit.

Instead they will have to wait until the following Saturday, September 29 when they take on Ilkeston Town in the FA Trophy.

Stourbridge also parted company with striker Linden Dovey this week, who switched to join rivals Redditch United.

Hackett claimed: "Linden always gave you everything but he wanted more opportunities, which is something that I couldn't promise him. I wish him the very best for the future".

Stourbridge were also missing Chris Knight from their line-up against Banbury as the striker struggles to shake-off a groin, but Hackett remains confident he will recover in time to face Ilkeston.

Stourbridge: Solly; Rock, Smith, McCone, Geddes (Hendrie 58), Bennett, Oliver, Broadhurst (Turton 50), Benbow (Griffiths 70), Billingham, Canavan. Subs not used: Lloyd, Dyson.

Attendance 351