YOUTH is the way forward for Stourport Swifts boss Dave Titterton who saw his team find their shooting boots in style on Saturday.

Swifts' young stars delighted Titterton by thrashing relegation-threatened Rocester 5-0 in the Dr Martens Western Division at Walshes Meadow.

Richard Ball grabbed a hat-trick and 18-year-old debut midfielder Steve Hawkes scored with his first touch, while Swifts favourite Simon Marsh was also on target.

A proud Titterton said: "We have to go with younger players because of the financial side at the club.

"But it's great to put some of them on with 20 minutes to go as they are too young to give a full game.

"They need coaching and introducing to the standard and the physical side of things but I have got faith in their ability.

"I don't want to gloat but a performance like that brings a lot of positives, like Leon Blake coming back on as sub and proving what a good player he is at this level.

"And for Steve Hawkes to score with his first touch was great. We could have had five goals in our last two home games comfortably."

The likes of on-loan John Danby, Craig Webb, Duncan Willetts, Sean Wright, Anthony Fletcher and the injured Robbie Taylor are among the many up-and-coming young players.

Titterton added: "A couple of the players have been recommended to me and I went to watch some of them locally a few times.

"It's about finding the young players though who are prepared to give that commitment of training on Tuesday and Thursday as well as playing on Saturday.

"But if there are any good young lads who want to come down to training, then they only have to phone me. I want as many local players as possible."

Titterton is planning a tactical change or two for Saturday's visit to on-song Gloucester who hammered Evesham 6-1 on Tuesday.

He admitted: "The test will be this weekend. Gloucester have had a great season in the league and can still finish third as well as reaching the FA Trophy quarter-finals.

"They have more than double our budget and have players with good experience at this level."

Kerry Giddings should return after picking up an ankle knock in training last week but veteran Jan Mulders is still a week away from action after an operation for knee cartilage trouble.

Meanwhile, Swifts have submitted a planning application to Wyre Forest District Council for their new proposed training and community facility.

The plans, which are set to go before the council next month, are for an all-weather fenced sports area with six eight metre-high floodlights next to the ground in Harold Davies Drive.