Halesowen 0, Stourbridge 1

LUKE Benbow's first half header was enough to hand the Glassboys a derby victory over rivals Halesowen at a packed Grove.

The striker bagged his 30th goal of the season as Stour took both the bragging rights and another three points towards securing their play-off aim.

The Yeltz fought back well in the second half but couldn't force an equaliser. Lee Chilton passed up their best opportunity on 65 minutes as he rattled the cross bar from close range when it looked easier to score.

Yeltz boss John Hill can be proud of the way his side came back into it in the second period but it is very much a case of job done for Stour boss Gary Hackett.

It didn't take long for the visitors to get on top with their main threat coming from Tom Tonks' balls into the danger zone.

The first chance for the visitors arrived on five minutes when a Tonks long throw, so often seen down at the Grove before the midfielder's move between these rivals, was met by the head of defender Dan Preston.

He headed wide of the target but it was a warning sign the home defence didn't heed.

Just three minutes later the Glassboys were ahead.

This time it was forward Benbow escaping his marker as Tonks swung over a corner from the right.

Benbow met it six yards out and looped a header over the despairing Dan Platt.

Stour never really built on the opener though and Hales managed to stay in a scrappy contest.

New addition Nathan Walker saw a shot blocked on 15 minutes before Brad Lewis' headed into the arms of Gould on 25 minutes following Lee Chilton's ball in.

Despite the game remaining even it was Stour that looked to have the greater cutting edge.

But they couldn't double their lead before the break, however, after Platt tipped over a powerful drive from Ethan Jones from the edge of the box.

It was the home side that came out with purpose in the second half as Andre Johnson replaced Nathan Walker to give more support to Tristian Dunkley.

The key chance for the Yeltz arrived after the hour mark as a long throw from Liam Slade found its way to Chilton at the far post. He slid in to convert but could only lift his chance against the bar.

Dunkley drilled wide moments later as Stour looked rattled.

But, after weathering the storm, the visitors settled down and worked a few openings of their own in the closing stages.

Sub Luke Rodgers, Tonks and Jordan Archer all fired off target in the last ten minutes.

It wasn't the fireworks the packed crowd perhaps expected from the clash under the lights but it proved a competitive affair none the less.

Stour will now look to back up the win at home to Mickleover on Saturday while the Yeltz will want to hit back against Spennymoor at the Grove.

Halesowen: Platt, Morrison, Lewis (Taylor 80), Denny (c), Slade, Charlton, Walker (Johnson 45), Bragoli, Dunkley (Delaney 73), Clarke, Chilton.

Unused Subs: Bennett-Tindall, O'Neill-Martin.

Stourbridge: Gould, Knight, Westlake, Tonks (c), Preston, Sho-Silva, Jones (Rodgers 66), Broadhurst, Benbow, Archer, Birch.

Unused Subs: Westwood, Green, Canavan, Lait.

Att: 2,127