MORE XMAS STUFFING

Yeltz 1 Worcester 3

26 December 2000

Another bitterly disappointing loss - this time against local rivals Worcester. We were 2-0 down early on, were never really in it and Bowen's late goal was no consolation at all. More details in the match reports .

On Saturday (30th) we finish off a very disappointing year with a game at home to Ilkeston , and then on New Year's Day we visit Moor Green .

As I'm on holiday until after the New Year, the site might not be updated as regularly as usual , but I'll do my best to keep things reasonably recent. Anyhoo, have a jolly Xmas and New Year, and let's hope 2001 brings us better results that 2000 did. :-)

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Quy; Crisp (Payne 78), Ford, Wood, Comyn (J.Owen 15), Collins, Cartwright (Sutton 45), Corns, Bowen, Smith, Hines

Worcester City: McDonnell; Davies, Bradley, Tucker, Heeley, Carty, Wyatt (Tranter 72), Weir, M. Owen, Woods (Burrow 82), Reed. Sub: Scheppel

Booked: Corns (65) Referee: M. Edwards (Swandlincote) Attendance: 743

Halesowen slumped into deep relegation trouble as they were unable to recover from giving injured-ravaged neighbours Worcester an early two-goal advantage.

Worcester stunned the home crowd with an opening goal in the 3rd minute when Michael Wyatt collected a short pass from former long-term Yeltz servant Andy Bradley and curled a shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Home defender Andy Comyn limped off the field in the 15th minute and seconds later Worcester took full advantage when Wyatt put Mark Owen clear on goal and he was brought down by Andy Quy with the home defence caught napping. Leading marksman Owen then stepped up to make no mistake from the penalty spot.

Halesowen started the second half in more determined fashion but found no way through the Worcester rearguard and their possession continually broke down in the final third of the pitch. Another ex-Yeltz favourite Danny McDonnell raced off his goal line to beat Peter Sutton to the ball in the 55th minute and then thwarted Ross Collins by clawing away his shot two minutes later.

Ten minutes from time Worcester substitute Carl Tranter produced a super finish from Mark Owen to make the points safe. However, the home side eventually claimed an 87th minute consolation when the ex-Worcester maverick striker Sam Bowen slotted home from close range after a cross from Les Hines had caught out the visiting defence.