STOURPORT Men firsts warmed up for the West Midlands Premier with a 3-2 loss to National League side Cheltenham on Saturday.

With their first league game of 2015 against Coventry and North Warwicks cancelled on Saturday due to the U18 boys involvement in the National Indoor Club Finals, Stourport wanted a competitive game against opposition that would stretch their capabilities in preparation for the start of the second half of their competitive programme.

The hosts fell behind to an early goal from their higher ranked opponents, who also boast several former Stourport players.

But they battled back and following an Andrew Cavendish short corner made it 1-1.

Cavendish then edged Stourport into a 2-1 lead with a reverse stick strike after a poor Cheltenham short corner clearance.

But Cheltenham responded, and with barely 10 minutes left to play went ahead for the second time.

A fantastic ball from Jamie Miller two minutes from the final whistle found the Stourport forwards, but they failed to convert a clear chance.

It was a pleasing performance for former Cannock stars and current Stourport coaches Kali Takher and Paul Edwards.

This weekend the club have a league double header and will have to be at their best to maintain top spot in the Midlands Division One .

On Saturday, the Kingsway club welcome Bridgnorth in a potential banana skin encounter at 2pm and on Sunday travel to second-placed Coventry (noon start).

With the return of their U18s and veteran David Knottt, who was confirmed last weekend as the new England over-50s captain, Stourport will be desperate to get back to winning ways.

After having their first match, against Harborne after Christmas cancelled last weekend, Stourport Ladies travel to Solihull to take on Wakefield/Olton this coming weekend.