Stour lined up in a 4-3-2-1 formation with loanees Chris Gallagher and Nicu Carnat either side of Luke Benbow up top and Brad Birch moving into his usual position of central midfield.

It was a scrappy opening at the Grove but Stour had the best early chance in the 12th minute. Aaron Forde’s free-kick was nodded on by Aaron Hayden, the ball fell to Benbow and his low shot was well kept out by a combination of the legs of Daniel Platt and the post.

Experienced Yeltz striker Lee Hughes went close from a Jordan Goddard corner before the latter then fired narrowly off target from the edge of the penalty area.

Benbow looked to be Stour’s biggest threat and he hit the post again in the 23rd minute. He somehow fashioned a yard of space on the edge of the box but his low show cannoned back off the foot of the post.

The Yeltz looked dangerous from set pieces and could have been ahead on the half-hour mark had Matt Gould not made a terrific save to tip Ivor Lawton’s header over the bar.

Both sides picked up bookings - Daniele Bragoli for Halesowen and Hayden for Stour - before Halesowen took the lead.

Paul McCone charged out of defence but lost the ball and a long pass over the top found Hughes who had just beat the offside trap. He cut inside and his low shot was parried by Gould but Ahmed Ali was here to tap home the loose ball.

Stour boss Gary Hackett made his first change in the 59th minute, introducing Josh Cooke for the limping Aaron Forde.

Cooke joined Benbow up front following a quiet start to the second half but Stour’s task got tougher in the 66th minute.

Pierpoint was caught in possession by Ivor Lawton and the Halesowen man ran towards the Stour box.

Pierpoint brought him down from behind on the edge of the penalty area and despite McCone being in the vicinity, the referee produced a red card for the Glassboys defender.

Stour hit the woodwork again minutes later, Gallagher's corner swinging in and over keeper Platt before crashing back off the bar before Halesowen cleared.

Hughes then hit the bar for the home side from a cross of his own and Cooke then went close with a 20-yarder that drifted just wide.

The Yeltz were happy to sit back with their advantage and the hosts defended well, making it difficult for Stour to create many meaningful chances.

Gould held a Lawton header well as Tom Tonks and Luke Shearer were introduced as boss Hackett’s final changes.

Winger Carnat had a good effort well tipped over by Platt after charging into the box and then McCone did brilliantly to clear a Hughes effort off the line.

Stour huffed and puffed but couldn’t produce any decent chances, with Benbow firing wide late on as Halesowen secured the derby victory.

Stourbridge (4-3-2-1): Gould; Hayden, McCone, Pierpoint, Westlake; Birch (Tonks 83), Forde (Cooke 59), Broadhurst; Gallagher (Shearer 75), Carnat; Benbow. Subs not used: Christophorou, Hawk (GK).

Attendance: 1,753

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

We are at home on Easter Monday against STAFFORD RANGERS (3.00 pm kick-off).

We then travel to Hednesford Town on Saturday 7th April (3.00 pm kick-off), before returning to the War Memorial Ground to entertain leaders Altrincham on Monday 9th April (7.45 pm kick-off).

YOUTH TEAM & ACADEMY

The Youth Team are due to travel to Stratford Town next Thursday, 5th April (7.45 pm kick-off), but supporters are advised to keep an eye on the website and social media for news of fixture changes, particularly in view of the postponement of this week’s Worcestershire County Youth Cup semi-final at Alvechurch.

The Academy team’s next game is at home to Boldmere St Michaels on Wednesday 4th April (2.00 pm kick-off).

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

The Glassgirls travel to Solihull United on Easter Sunday (2.00 pm kick-off), before playing their final WMWL fixture at home to Coventry Development on Sunday 8th April at Greenfields (2.00 pm kick-off). Admission will be FREE.

EVO-STIK NPL PREMIER DIVISION RESULTS - SATURDAY 31ST MARCH

Ashton United 1-1 Mickleover Sports
Coalville Town P-P Workington
Halesowen Town 1-0 STOURBRIDGE
Lancaster City 2-1 Sutton Coldfield Town
Marine 2-3 Buxton
Matlock Town P-P Stalybridge Celtic
Nantwich Town 1-1 Farsley Celtic
Rushall Olympic 2-0 Altrincham
Shaw Lane P-P Barwell
Stafford Rangers 1-3 Grantham Town
Whitby Town P-P Warrington Town
Witton Albion 3-0 Hednesford Town