BOSS Gary Hackett admits it has been tough for his Stourbridge side to play so many games away from home at the start of the campaign.

The Glassboys were set to travel to Corby Town last night before then making the trek to Marine on Saturday.

Those games follow last weekend’s 2-1 success in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup at Ilkeston and will mean Stour have been away from the War Memorial Ground 10 out of the first 14 games so far this season.

There was no let-up after Hackett’s men were drawn away in the next round of the FA Cup for the fourth consecutive time. They now face Halesowen Town’s conquerors Nantwich on Saturday, October 15, where they will battle it out for a place in the first round once again.

The Yeltz failed to set up a derby clash when losing the replay with Nantwich 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Hackett said: “It is difficult to play so many games away in such a short amount of time, but we have to play the cards we have been dealt and I think we have handled it well.

“We can’t dwell on it too much, you have to just embrace it.

“The plus side is that we are now in a much better position to handle it as we have a few players back from injury.”

Experienced defender Stuart Pierpoint made his first start of the season against Ilkeston and Kayelden Brown was also back in the side. Justin Richards and Matt Dodd also made the bench.

Summer recruits Aaron Daniels and Jack Duggan could be close to a return within the next couple of weeks.

Goals from midfielder Leon Broadhurst and striker Luke Benbow made sure Stour progressed last Saturday.

Broadhurst guided home a header to level after Ilkeston had gone ahead after just 16 minutes.

Benbow’s winner came from the spot after Chris Lait drew a rash challenge in the penalty box.

Hackett added: “We were bang average for the first 25 minutes and it took their goal to wake us up a little.

“It was the jolt we needed and I think we were worthy winners in the second half.

“It is good to get through but again we will have to do it the hard way with an away draw. But it is another chance for us to progress.”