Stourbridge expect no favours from old friends at Newbury

Dec 11 2009 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Mail

NEIL Mitchell expects familiarity to breed content this weekend as his Stourbridge side take on a Newbury outfit packed with familiar faces.

Up to a third of the visiting line-up could have links to Stourton Park when eighth meets tenth tomorrow in a match that could propel the hosts into the top five.

For that to happen Stour will have to secure a bonus-point victory and while Mitchell says his side are confident of taking on anyone, particularly at home, he knows enough about Newbury’s players to realise that is far from certain.

“Scott Whitcomb was here for three seasons, Matt Williams a year, Chris Rowlands a couple of seasons and Martin Freeman a long time on and off,’’ he said.

“Although he will be a very different player now, Danny Hodge also had a spell here four or five years ago.

“We know they can be dangerous and it’s good to have that knowledge, although there is no question they will want to try to beat their old club.”

Mitchell will have to try to prevent that happening without his captain Ben Hughes.

The lock was forced off during last Saturday’s 10-0 win over Otley with a rib injury and Mitchell will not risk such a key player.