STOURPORT Swifts manager Mark Phillips has been pleased with the progress the squad have made in pre-season.

The new manager is encouraged by the performances after a 1-0 win over a Kidderminster Harriers XI on Saturday and a 2-0 success against Bilston on Tuesday night.

Paul Hurrell bagged the winner against Kiddy, while in midweek an early strike for Jack Bailey and a late effort by Joe Phillips sealed a fine result.

Phillips had been Dudley Town under-21s manager until taking the reins at Walshes Meadow.

He’s managed to keep Hurrell, Jamie Willetts, Ryan Wollacott, Ben Maun and Jack Hickman but has also drafted in a host of new faces.

“The win over Bilston was pleasing, we need to work on the final third but the players are definitely buying into what we’re trying to do,” said Phillips.

“We want to play good football on the pitch and not just play it long.

"The squad is very new but we've managed to keep some of the players from last season.

"The likes of Jamie Willetts and Reece Shilvock are still very young but are also very experienced because they have played a lot of football at this level."

Against a youthful Harriers side, Swifts had the best of the game although their Wyre Forest rivals could have earned a draw if not for a last-ditch save by Dom Richards to deny Gurjit Singh.

Stourport continue their friendly programme with a game at Droitwich Spa on Saturday (3pm ko), before a derby clash at Bewdley Town next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).