HOCKEY: Positive-thinking Stourport returned to the training ground at the weekend in a bid to halt their early run of National League Division One defeats.

They have lost their first three games but their management are confident of a turn-around sooner rather than later.

Stourport return to competitive action on Saturday with a league visit to newly promoted Belper.

The club have dominated the first half of their league games on each occasion but have been unable to convert open-play chances.

Their lack of a clinical finish has led to second-period reversals by narrow margins.

However, the mood is positive with Pakistan star Imran Yousaf always dangerous from short-corners and the defence has been fairly tight.

The majority of goals conceded have been when Stourport are under-strength due to yellow cards.

Stourport 2nds 5 Khalsa 0

The strong seconds brushed aside poor opposition in front of their biggest crowd of the season despite playing the first half with just 10 men.

Ian Lye opened his account for the season from the edge of the circle after good work from Phil Baldwin and Nick Chambers.

Luke Edwards added a second after dribbling into the circle to slam home following a short corner.

Tom White's skills proved too much in the second half as he scored from a Steve Ellis rebounded shot and then an Ellis pull-back.

The busy Ellis flicked home a Chambers cross to complete the scoring.

Loughborough Students 6 Stourport 3rds 2

Stourport thirds lost their unbeaten record in what may prove to be the title decider.

Without a full squad, they could not cope with the pace of the students whose first team is riding high in the National League Premier Division.

David Knott and Mark McKinnon were on the score-sheet for Stourport.

Leek 3 Stourport 4ths 5

Two goals from Dave Bedford helped the fourths consolidate their title challenge.

Bedford tapped in an early opener from three yards and then Andy Pocknell beat two defenders to supply Ben Madden with his first goal since returning from a bad injury.

Within five minutes of the second half, Bedford poached a second after Steve Taylor was denied.

Leek pulled one back but Luke Carless scored another for Stourport from a Harry Willets pass.

The home side pulled two more goals back with Taylor yellow carded but Willets struck the visitors' fifth goal.

Stourport 5ths 1 Cannock 0

An Adam Crouch strike gave Stourport fifths a tremendous result against their arch-rivals.

Resilient defending from Neil Stone, David Read and Rob Claris laid the foundations for Crouch and Gareth Pritchard to impress.

They soaked up lots of pressure to ensure keeper Keith Wills was not troubled as a determined display demonstrated how far the team has moved on with their improving youngsters.

Stourport Blue Badgers 1 Droitwich 1

Keeper Lewis Bevan made several outstanding clearances to keep a well-contested game level at half-time.

The Droitwich custodian was also busy but the visitors took the lead early in the second half.

However, young Stourport avoided an injustice with a late equaliser from Ashley Jones after a fine move between Mark Edwards, Andrew Kimberlin and Ben Everett-Li.

King's Heath 2 Stourport Badgers 4

Mark Totney fired a hat-trick as Stourport dominated their opposition and led 3-0 at half-time.

A further goal was added through Andrew Bickerton with the home side getting two consolations near the end.

Right-half Steven Thorpe and left-midfielder James Powell were both outstanding in an excellent win.

Fixture, Saturday: Belper v Stourport 1sts (2pm), Badgers v Old Sils (3.30pm), Worcester v Badgers (12.30pm).