Mackey "excited" by Glassboys challenge (From Dudley News)

Mackey "excited" by Glassboys challenge

4:20pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Football

GARY Hackett says new Stourbridge signing Ben Mackey is “excited by the challenge” of joining Stourbridge.

The powerful striker has agreed to sign for the Glassboys until the end of the season after moving from St Neots Town.

Mackey has scored 23 goals this season for The Saints this season and has been a proven goalscorer at Leamington and Brackley Town in the past.

His arrival is just the tonic for a Stourbridge forward line which has been depleted by James Spray’s return to AFC Telford United following a loan move and is currently missing the suspended Luke Benbow.

Hackett believes Mackey’s arrival will boost the whole club as the Glassboys look to secure a Southern League play-off place over the final weeks of the season.

He said: “No question this will raise people’s spirits.

“The key thing for me speaking to Ben and realising his hunger and determination to play for Stourbridge.

“We were alerted to the face he was available and he said a lot of positive things about us.

“He is a proven goalscorer and is keen to get us into the play-off places at the very least.

“I think a strike partnership of Ben Mackey and Luke Benbow is one which will excite a lot of people.”

Mackey sat out Saturday’s 0-0 between Stourbridge and St Neots after the deal was agreed. The result saw Stourbridge jump to second in the table.