IN-FORM striker John Griffin scored nine goals in two games as rampant Stourport Swifts progressed in two cup competitions.

On Saturday, Griffin scored six times as Swifts thrashed West Midlands Regional League strugglers Bilston Town 7-0.

And he was at it again on Tuesday with a hat-trick as Gornal Athletic were seen off 4-1 in the League Cup.

Boss Rod Brown hopes that will be a springboard to improved performances in the Midland Alliance league, starting on Saturday with a home game against newly promoted Walsall Wood, as they look to add to just two wins from eight starts.

He said: “After our poor performance against Tipton in the league last week the players were given a bit of a reality check by me.

“Three players have left the club — midfielder Kyonn Evans, striker Chris Conway and defender Tim Jackson — and I would have moved a couple more if I had got more in which I was trying to do.

“Nothing against the lads who have left I just felt we needed a shake-up and to be fair we got a positive reaction from the lads.

“I still feel we need a striker to support John as we have been utilising what we have. “As silly as it sounds he missed three fairly easy chances against Bilston and could have scored ten, but it was quite an achievement and made him easily the highest score in that round of the Vase.”

With Brocton, who have a 100 per cent record in the Midland Combination, providing the opposition in the next round on October 19, Brown said: “I’d also maybe like to bring in a more physical player to the middle of the park. “I honestly feel we are only those two players away from having a really good side.

“We do have a lot of young players but the experienced ones we added in the summer have made a difference. “We missed four of them against Tipton and it showed, the younger players do give you a lot of energy energy and enthusiasm but sometimes not direction.”

Brown is also looking forward to the return of Chris Morrison from holiday but Lewis Pountney remains on the sidelines.

“I fancy us against anyone at home but Brocton are doing very well in our league and we are famous at Stourport for beating the great sides and loses to the ones we perhaps shouldn’t.

“Walsall Wood will be a test for us, they have done reasonably well since coming up but hopefully on the back of the two cup results we can put a run together in the league and capitalise on the qualities we have.”