STOURBRIDGE will be looking to maintain top spot in the Southern League Central during the busy festive period.

The Glassboys moved four points clear of second-placed Kettering thanks to last Saturday's hard-fought success over Coalville.

They won 4-2 in difficult conditions at the War Memorial Ground after a Greg Mills penalty, a Leon Broadhurst double and a fine free-kick from Luke Benbow.

With Kettering slipping up at Banbury on the same day, it guarantees Stour top spot at Christmas even though they have now played three games more than their nearest rival.

They now welcome Barwell this Saturday before Boxing Day's much-anticipated derby clash against Halesowen Town at the Grove (both 3pm kick-off).

Stour boss Gary Hackett insists his team will have to be at their best against the Yeltz.

"We always look forward to it," he said. "Probably Halesowen's results against us, even though they've been below us in the league, have been favourable, but there is not much in it.

"We have got to go there and turn up because it's always a difficult game.

"This is nothing against Halesowen but for one game or two games per season they seem to play out of their skin."

Meanwhile, Hackett was pleased with how his side found the moments of quality to beat Coalville last weekend.

He added: “I think we all know Coalville are a good side, especially breaking forward they were dangerous. At times we struggled to cope.

“I also thought at the other end we also looked a real threat.

“The first 20 minutes we were poor and deserved to be behind but clawed our way back in and got a penalty and when we needed the moments of quality they came our way.

“I think that’s a great win, especially on the back of four great away results. The easy thing is to think you’ve done the hard part and are at home now but you’ve got to work for every point in this division and we’re very, very pleased.

“It was very difficult. They found it difficult to defend and we did as well. It was a very open game and I think there has been 16 goals in the two games against these and we’re good defensively and they don’t concede many so it’s quite bizarre, but it does mean it’s a very good three points.

“We’ve just got to keep banging points on that board.”

On double goalscorer Broadhurst, he added: “He did what he does best. He’s got this wonderful knack of arriving at the right place at the right time. I don’t think it’s coached, it’s just a natural instinct and fair play to him.”