Stourbridge 4, Ashton United 1

RUTHLESS Stour moved up to second place as they put Ashton to the sword with another fine showing in front of goal.

Kayelden Brown bagged a brace and Tom Tonks and Jordan Archer also struck as the Glassboys picked up another important three points in their quest for promotion.

Stour were in front after just three minutes through Brown.

Loanee Ethan Jones raced down the right flank before crossing low for Luke Benbow. His shot was saved by keeper Luke Pilling but Brown was on hand to put in the rebound.

It was just the start the hosts wanted in difficult conditions and they never really looked back.

Ashton did react to the set back and forced Matt Gould to save from Lee Knight and Ryan Crowther but it didn't take long for Stour to get on top again.

Skipper Tom Tonks doubled their lead on the half hour mark when he curled in a fine effort from the edge of the box.

The home side were well in control at the break after Archer made it three on 40 minutes.

He had seen an effort touched onto the bar by Pilling moments before but wasn't to be denied when the next chance came along.

Another clever run saw him get in behind the back line before he unleashed a powerful effort from a narrow angle to give the keeper no chance.

Archer was soon at the heart of another Stour move early in the second half but saw his effort saved by the chest of Pilling.

However, instead of the hosts running away with the clash, it was Ashton that gave themselves a lifeline. Will Haining fired in on 53 minutes when he expertly met a corner on the volley.

Crowther then saw a free kick deflected just past the post by the head of Stuart Pierpoint on 68 minutes.

Any chance of a nervy finish to the clash was soon put to bed though as Brown bagged his second of the night.

He raced onto a long Pierpoint ball over the top before rifling over the outrushing Pilling. The keeper found himself stranded but Brown made no mistake with a dipping effort into the far corner.

Brown then fired wide soon after before Archer shot over late on.

Overall it was another fine display of finishing from Gary Hackett's men in a game that could have been tricky given the difficult underfoot conditions at Amblecote.

They have now quickly secured six points in three days to put themselves firmly in the race from top spot.

Stourbridge: Gould, Green, Westlake, Tonk (c) (Canavan 79), Knight, Pierpoint, Jones (Heath 79), Broadhurst, Benbow, Archer, Brown (Probert 85).

Unused Subs: Birch, Wedderburn.

Ashton: Pilling, Smalley, Stachini, Haining (Coo 74), Connor (c), Lees, Roberts, Smith, Dyche, Knight (Lowe 77), Crowther (Collins 90).

Unused Subs: Banim.

Att: 504