Stourbridge 2, FC United of Manchester 1

STOURBRIDGE showed their intent to be in the promotion hunt this season with a hard-fought win over Northern League big boys FC United of Manchester.

Ahead of the contest, it felt like the Glassboys were at something of an early crossroads in their season.

Injuries to Ben Billingham, Luke Benbow and the departure of captain Sean Geddes since the start of the campaign has resulted in manager Gary Hackett bringing in a host of new faces.

The arrival of FC United to the War Memorial Ground today meant the Glassboys could put their promotion credentials firmly to the test.

First half goals from Kayelden Brown and defender-come-striker Kristian Ramsey-Dickson saw the home side showcase their threat on the break.

A determined defensive display in the second period, especially from the new centre half pairing of Paul McCone and Exodus Geohaghon, meant Hackett's men took the spoils.

In front of a bumper crowd of 1,444, it was Stour that started the brighter.

They pressed the ball well and looked to break with real pace through Brown, Ramsey-Dickson, Drew Canavan and Peter Till.

The hard-working George Bowerman had the first real chance for the home side. The ball broke to him on the edge of the box after five minutes but he rushed his effort.

Good work down the right flank from Peter Till just a few minutes later saw him link up well with the over-lapping Kyle Haynes. His ball into the area was eventually pounced upon by keeper David Carnell, but the signs were good for the Glassboys.

United were always comfortable in possession but failed to really get in behind the Stour rearguard.

It was the homesde that opened the scoring after 26 minutes when Brown and Bowerman linked up well.

Bowerman worked the left flank and layed it back to Brown who fired a low shot past the diving Carnell.

Stour grew noticably after the goal and enjoyed their best spell of the game.

The pace and power of Ramsey-Dickson continued to cause problems for the United defence. He'd thought he'd doubled the home side's advantage on 31 minutes when he fired a brilliant effort into the top corner after being played in, but the assistant referee ruled out the goal for offside.

However, he didn't have to wait long to get his name on the scoresheet.

He raced on to a Brown flick on in the 38th minute and cooly slotted under the advancing keeper to put his side in control.

FC United passed up their best chance of the half when the lively Frank Van Gils failed to head home from close range following a corner in the final stages of the half.

If the first half was a display of Stourbridge's threat on the break, the second was all about their defensive grit.

As expected, the well-supported visitors came out with purpose and a renewed attacking threat.

Stour dropped deeper and deeper as United enjoyed more and more possession.

There were few chances, however, as the Glassboys battled hard to keep them out.

Dean Coleman had to make the save of the game in the 69th minute to claw away a curling and dipping effort that looked set for the top corner.

The Stour rearguard was finally broken with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Van Gils found time on the right to whip in a dangerous ball to Thomas Greaves, who made now mistake from close range.

The Glassboys had to then dig really deep to keep out United's final push for an equaliser. Time and time again McCone and Geohaghon headed balls away as the powerful presence of Ramsey-Dickson and the fresh legs of Morgan-Parker and Junior Smikle in forward positions helped relieve the pressure.

Morgan-Parker could have wrapped up the points in injury time but he miss-kicked Smikle's cutback. But Stour had done enough to take the points.

Though United will be disappointed it took them so long to get going in the contest, the Glassboys showed real heart to hold onto their lead.

Though it is only three points, the victory is a real statement of intent from a Stourbridge side that looks to be finally heading in the right direction following a testing and injury-hit first half of a season.

Stourbridge: Coleman, Fitzpatrick, Ramsey-Dickson, McCone (c), Till (Morgan-Parker 84), Brown (Smikle 64), Haynes, Geohaghon, Bowerman (Broadhurst 82), Knight.

Unused subs: McPike, Hill.

FC United of Manchester: Carnell, Brownhill, Lacy, Scott (c), Knowles, Fox (Kay 62), Van Gils, Daniels (Walwyn 76), Greaves, Wright, Lindfield.

Unused subs: Ashwooth, Lynch, Birch.

Att: 1,444