Bewdley Town returned to action with a 4-1 home victory over Bridgnorth Town Reserves which keeps their West Midlands division one title hopes alive.

With strikers Lewis Pountney and Jamie Hart unavailable, Chris Bow and Chris Hough spearheaded the Bewdley attack, and Matt Payne came in for a rare start in midfield.

After just seven minutes a great delivery from Mike Harris gave Hough the opportunity to head past Rob Minton in the Bridgnorth goal.

Bridgnorth tested the Bewdley goalkeeper, Steve Thomas, in the 21st minute, but Thomas finger-tipped the Gareth Briggs piledriver over the bar.

Great tackles by Neil Turford and Payne released Sam Pountney, whose cross was volleyed home by Hough in the 31st minute.

Four minutes later Payne supplied Hough with another great through-ball and Hough hit another unstoppable shot into the far corner of the goal to complete his hat-trick.

In the 72nd minute Jan Mulders crossed for Pountney who, although under pressure from two defenders, headed-home at the far post.

The second half was a somewhat scrappy affair and Bridgnorth pulled back a deserved consolation goal when Steve Crabb scored from close range.

On Saturday, Bewdley visit Stafford Town.