Homing in on top two (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Homing in on top two

12:00pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

ROD Brown believes he can guide his youthful squad as Stourport Swifts stepped up their bid for second place in the Midlands Alliance.

The Walshes Meadow outfit stretched their lead over the sides below with a 3-1 win over Ellesmere Rangers with a brace for Lewis Pountney and one for John Griffin.

Griffin then bagged a hat-trick, with Pountney netting two, as Swifts trounced Coleshill Town 5-1 on Saturday.

With 10 games of the season remaining, Stourport are in pole position for a top-two finish but Brown believes his young squad need careful management during that run.

He said: “When you have experienced players you can work on things in training and expect them to implement them on the pitch.

“It’s different with young players. Apart from Tim Jackson and Mark Benbow who are in their 30s, everyone else is below the age of 25 and we have seven players 19 or below.

“I virtually have to home in on what every player has to do in the team talk and remind them of their jobs.

“That’s my job, to keep them alert of aware of the task in hand.”

Meanwhile, Brown is hoping to keep on-loan Stourbridge keeper Lewis Solly for longer.

The 29-year-old has been a revelation for Stourport since joining three weeks ago.

Solly is set to talk with Glassboys manager Gary Hackett today about his future.

Currently, former Kidderminster Harriers, Worcester City and Redditch United keeper Dean Coleman is first choice at the War Memorial Ground.

Brown added: “Lewis has been fantastic for us, his experience has made a difference.

“We’ve got him for a couple more games and would like him to stay but he’s not my player and it’s up to Gary Hackett at Stourbridge.”

Swifts face a tough trips to Rocester on Saturday (3pm ko) and Kirby Muxloe on Tuesday (7.45pm ko). Defender Kevin Spencer is a major doubt after dislocating his shoulder last week.