Stourbridge 2, Marine 0

GOALS in each half from Karl Hawley and Chris Lait handed Stourbridge victory over Marine.

The clinical finishing of the Glassboys got the job done at Amblecote tonight and ensured back-to-back home wins as the hosts got their play-off push back on track.

However, Stour did have to overcome a sluggish first half and a determined Marine side before picking up the points.

They started the first half slowly and let Marine get a foothold in the contest.

The visitors pressed the ball quickly and looked early to lively striker Danny Mitchley.

Stour, in contrast, were flat and struggled to get their passing game going for long periods.

It was Mitchley that was responsible for most of Marine's efforts as he took a host of strikes early as soon as he got within range.

Matt Gould had to deny him more than once as Stour struggled to build up a head of steam.

But then, against the run of play, it was the hosts that suddenly opened the scoring.

Leon Broadhurst made the vital break from midfield, powered into the area and crossed for striker Karl Hawley to easily side foot home on 19 minutes.

Despite the breakthrough Stour still struggled to improve further and Marine keeper Matt Cooper was mostly untroubled.

Marine's best chance of the half fell to Chris Sharp on 42 minutes when a straight ball down the middle got the forward one on one with Gould after Stuart Pierpoint's untimely slip.

But Gould stood up well and saved at the feet ofSharp as he looked to take the ball past the on loan Livingston stopper.

That save ensured the Glassboys took a lead in at the break despite struggling to really get going.

The goal did demonstrate their threat, however, and it didn't take long for them to show it again after starting the second period much brighter.

Just five minutes into the half and Justin Richards fed Lait from the left. He bust into the box and finished calmly under Cooper to double the advantage.

From that point on the hosts were always in control.

They were soon on top as Dodd found more space on the right flank.

Richards twice and then Dodd all fired over from distance as they enjoyed much more of the ball in the final third.

Credit to Marine though, they continued to ask questions throughout.

And while Gould was mostly untroubled, the visitors did have their opportunities in front of goal.

Alan Burton flicked a corner onto the bar on 69 minutes before skipper Andy Nicholas headed over from another corner on 78.

Substitute Ben Billingham forced Cooper into a fine save at full stretch as the game entered added time.

Ultimately the Glassboys, though not at their flowing best, ensured they backed up Saturday's win over Hyde thanks to their superior killer instinct when the chance presented itself.

Attention now turns to Saturday's FA Trophy clash at Nantwich as Gary Hackett's men look for yet more memorable cup exploits this term.

Stourbridge: Gould, Green, Scarr, Geddes, Smikle, Pierpoint (c), Dodd (Billingham 77) Broadhurst, Hawley (Whittall 85), Richards, Lait (Vincent 77).

Unused Subs: Clarke, Price.

Marine: Cooper, Wainwright, Bellew, Hessey, Goulding, Nicholas (c), Foley, Burton, Mitchley, Sharp (Ellams 74), Peers.

Unused Subs: Willis, Codling, Short, Sharman.

Att: 387