Stour striker setback

10:37am Thursday 10th January 2008

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STOURBRIDGE FC boss Gary Hackett has been left reeling with the news that he could be without the services of star striker Mark Bellingham for the rest of the season after he was stretchered off in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to Chesham.

Bellingham went off after only six minutes with knee ligament damage.

The BGB Midlands Division One leading goalscorer who has notched 22 times this season is set for a scan tomorrow (Friday) to discover the extent of the injury.

Hackett, however is preparing for the worst and believes it will be a massive bonus if Bellingham makes a return before the end of the season.

He said: "Mark's injury is a major concern because he's been in prolific form this season and his record over the last three-and a-half years is probably unsurpassable at any level.

"We must move on from this because I believe it will be a big bonus for us if Mark returns before the end of the season."

One player Hackett has lined up to replace his leading marksman is former Chasetown star Lee Bullimore.

The Dudley-based striker is set to sign for the Glassboys today and Hackett is excited by the prospect of getting him on board.

He added: "Lee would be a welcome addition, he's a player with a wealth of experience and is very hungry to do well.

"He's a good person to have around because he's a winner and the sort of positive person you need in a dressing room."

The manager also confirmed he is hoping to strengthen his small squad even further in the near future with midfield and defence his priority.

The Glassboys will be looking for revenge this Saturday when they travel to play Chesham for the second time in a week.

Hackett will take his side into the game on the back of an entertaining home defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday evenining.

Stourbridge were beaten 4-1 by a strong Wolves side.

A crowd close on 800 turned up and braved the the rain, sleet and snow.

Hackett said: "It was an enjoyable evening apart from the result.

"It was fantastic to see so many people in the ground despite the awful conditions and it proved the ground can cope with big crowds."