ALL OVER?

Yate 2 Yeltz 1

Another disappointing defeat has left us 12 points off the playoffs and a long way off any chance of promotion. We were 2-0 down at half-time, and despite a late Pope goal it doesn't sound like we deserved anything more. Full details in Dave's match report.

On Tuesday we play Sutton Coldfield in the Worcester Senior Cup semi-final at The Grove. It took a replay to beat them in the Trophy earlier this season, but let's hope we can get into the final to have at least something to look forward to for the rest of the season.

Match Report from DJ

Yate Town: Court; Sims, Elsey, Brice, Jefferies, Wyatt, Wood, Chenoweth, Edwards, Metheringham, Campbell. Unused Subs: Cox, Sylvester, Vickerman, Bridson, Barlass

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Cooper (N. Smith 75), Amos (Skidmore 75), Preston, Pope, Pierpoint, Cowley, Lamey, Forinton, Hadland (Haywood HT), Forsdick. Unused Subs: C. Smith, Johnson

Referee: P. Brown (Taunton) Attendance: 270 Booked: Forinton (30), Pope (36), Pierpoint (54).

Yate gained full revenge for their 7-2 defeat at The Grove in October to draw level with Halesowen in the table and leave their play-off hopes as just a distant dream.

In-form Yate have now won their last five home games and were quick off the blocks on a heavy pitch by dominating the early stages as the Yeltz put in another poor first-half performance.

Paul Metheringham volleyed over the bar in the 4th minute and five minutes later Scott Brice headed wide under pressure from Nick Amos as Yate forced two corners.

Nathan Lamey fired high over the bar in the 5th minute and on 12 minutes Stuart Pierpoint's cross led to a penalty appeal for handball.

The Bluebells went ahead on 14 minutes when Alex Cowley failed to clear and Paul CHENOWETH was given time to wait for the ball to drop before firing a 22-yard half volley inside the post to beat Dean Coleman with his first goal of the season. The hosts should have increased the lead after 21 minutes when the ball fell kindly to Mike Wyatt just six yards out but he struck straight at Coleman with the goal at his mercy. Two minutes later Darren Edwards volleyed over the bar from a corner kick.

Yate pressure made it 2-0 after 26 minutes when Cowley made a horrible hash of clearing a corner on the edge of the six-yard box and sliced the ball for EDWARDS to nip in and slot home from close range. Just before the interval, Steve Pope slammed a direct 20-yard free-kick just past the post and Scott Hadland hit high over the bar.

The Yeltz changed formation after the break and enjoyed a much better second half despite lacking a cutting edge. Simon Forsdick missed an ideal opportunity to put his team back into the game in his 100th game for the club after being fed by Lamey on 46 minutes but he chipped well over the bar with only goalkeeper Tony Court to beat.

Jason Wood flashed a 49th effort just wide but then cleared a good Forsdick cross a minute later at the other end with Cowley advancing. Metheringham was given plenty of time in front of goal in the 56th minute but Coleman saved for a corner and in the 64th minute Edwards headed down for Adam Sims to blaze over the bar.

Lamey saw his curling 65th minute free-kick from the edge of the area blocked and another loud Halesowen appeal for a penalty for handball was denied in the 68th minute. Pierpoint's 69th minute cross was completely missed by jittery home goalkeeper Court but Brice tidied up the loose ball in front of goal. Pierpoint then cleared Brice's shot after 72 minutes in the Yeltz defence.

Halesowen had a 79th minute let off when a terrible Coleman kick fell straight to Edwards and he lobbed the young goalkeeper only to see the ball strike the crossbar with Coleman recovering to make a good save from Metheringham's header from the rebound.

Court easily collected an 80th minute header from Howard Forinton that unbelievably proved to be Halesowen's first attempt directly on target. POPE touched home a simple consolation goal for the Yeltz in the 86th minute when a deep cross from Dave Haywood was again lost by goalkeeper Court.

In the remaining time, Forsdick made a couple of excellent runs down the left wing before crossing but Lamey hit high over the bar and a shot from substitute Nick Smith was deflected inches wide as Yate held on for a deserved win.

The 10th booking of the season for Pope and the 5th for Pierpoint mean a two-match and one-match suspension respectively with both central defenders likely to miss the forthcoming match at league-leaders Salisbury.

REASONABLE

Tiverton 0 Yeltz 0

Well we didn't lose, but it's getting harder to see how we're going to force our way into the play-offs. A 0-0 draw at Tiverton is obviously a reasonable result, but we're 9 points behind where we want to be with only 13 games to go. Still, we shouldn't give up hope just yet!

On Saturday we travel to Yate in another tricky tie. In their last 3 home games they've beaten King's Lynn, Bedford and Merthyr so once again it's not easy, but we have to start winning soon if we are going to keep in touch.

Match Report from DJ

Tiverton Town: Ovendale; Winter, Davies (Hambly 78), Booth, Croft, Milsom, Ampadu (Skinner 82), Bale, Pears (Beddow 79), Holloway, Nogan. Unused Subs: Gould, Knott

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Cooper, Amos, Preston, Pope (Lamey HT), Pierpoint, Cowley, N. Smith, Forinton, Hadland, Forsdick. Unused Subs: Skidmore, Johnson, C. Smith

Referee: L. Cox Attendance: 359 Booked: Amos (29), Croft (56), N. Smith (78).

Halesowen earned a respectable goal-less draw in Devon but the result did little to lift either side away from mid-table.

With play swinging from end-to-end, Halesowen's Scott Hadland make an early break in the 4th minute but his final effort was weak. Darren Davies should have done better than fire straight at Halesowen goalkeeper Dean Coleman after 10 minutes and a minute later Simon Forsdick hit over the bar after good work from Hadland. Forsdick then broke forward for the Yeltz in the 15th minute after his goalkeeper Coleman punched clear but opposite goalkeeper Mark Ovendale gathered the ball before then collecting Howard Forinton's 17th minute lob.

Coleman put in a solid performance and saved from Richard Pears after 24 minutes and again from Chris Bale after 34 minutes before keeping out the resulting corner.

Niki Preston tidied up Tivvy's 51st minute advance but a couple of minutes later Nick Smith flicked substitute Nathan Lamey's free-kick behind the opposite goal. Tiverton's pressure forced two corners on the hour, but Alex Cowley picked up the ball to surge forward with Forinton just failing to connect with Hadland's right-wing cross.

Coleman did well again to force Pears wide on a 69th minute break and the young goalkeeper then tipped a 74th minute long-range effort over the bar from Paul Milsom.

The Yeltz had several chances to break the deadlock in the latter stages with Nick Smith and Hadland just missing Forsdick's 76th minute cross. Probably the best chance came with just two minutes remaining when Lamey broke free and saw his rebound shot cleared off the line after Hadland's initial effort had struck goalkeeper Ovendale.

UNPREDICTABLE

Yeltz 1 Team Bath 3

Just when we looked like we were getting a run together, we go and do this. In a very disappointing result, the indomitable Yeltz lost 3-1 at home to Team Bath on Saturday. From all accounts (see the match report on the club site ), we didn't deserve anything more out of the game. Hmmm.

We have two crucial away games coming up this week - on Wednesday we travel to Tiverton before another trip down the M5 on Saturday to Yate. We must get at least one victory out of those two games to be in with a shout of promotion I think, but we can do it so let's not start moaning too early.

(Apologies for the slow updating of the site - I'm in the USA on business again so I'm even more out of touch than usual)

A STEP BACK

Banbury 1 Yeltz 0

The mighty Yeltz slipped back a little in the promotion race with a hard-fought defeat at Banbury. Despite going behind in the first half, according to Dave's match report it seems like it was a pretty even game. Oh well, unfortunately we can't win them all.

On Saturday we play Team Bath again, this time at The Grove. Obviously after winning at "their place" we'd hope to get all three points again, but they're not a bad team so it's no certainty. However our recent form has been good, so let's hope for a much needed victory.

Match Report from DJ

Banbury United: Foster; Saulsbury, Bridges, Sullivan, Jackson, Fuller, Stanbridge, Redknap, Blossom (Gooderick 88), Baird, Lazarus (Kinch 83). Unused Subs: Gardner, Robinson, Tricker

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Pierpoint, Haywood (C. Smith 85), Preston, Pope, Cooper (Amos 77), Cowley (N. Smith 77), Lamey, Forinton, Hadland, Forsdick. Unused Subs: Skidmore, Johnson.

Referee: C. Lymer (Mayford) Attendance: 418 Booked: Preston (28)

Halesowen were beaten by a crucial solitary strike in end-to-end action against fellow play-off contenders Banbury.

The Yeltz won a 5th minute corner after home goalkeeper Alan Foster failed to gather Dave Haywood's cross. After that, the lively Puritans had much the better of the first half with Simon Forsdick blocking Ollie Stanbridge's 7th minute shot. Forsdick then handled on the edge of his own area and although Ady Fuller smashed the 15th minute free-kick against the defensive wall, the ball fell invitingly to James Saulsbury but he headed wide from just three yards. Two minutes later, goalkeeper Dean Coleman did well to collect Saulsbury's dangerous cross under pressure and on 19 minutes Stuart Bridges fired a loose ball over the bar.

George REDKNAP gave Banbury a 20th minute lead by firing home on the half-volley from 15 yards after a cross from the right-wing was only partly cleared. Coleman collected a 23rd minute effort from Wayne Blossom and in the 26th minute Chris Jackson played a clever 20-yard free-kick into the area but the ball across goal was cleared.

Coleman produced a sensational 33rd minute reflex save to scoop the ball over the bar after Andy Baird put Stanbridge free in space in the area.

Just before the interval Ian Cooper's 37th minute volley from 25 yards was easily gathered by home goalkeeper Alan Foster and in the 43rd minute Steve Pope's header dropped inches wide of the post from Haywood's free-kick.

The Yeltz pressed forward strongly for an equaliser after the break and in the 47th minute Foster saved Nicki Preston's close range header on the line from Haywood's corner. Cooper's 53rd minute volley struck a defender and Nathan Lamey curled a 20-yard free-kick high over the bar a minute later.

On the break Stanbridge's 58th minute cross just evaded the head of Neil Lazarus in front of goal. But with the visitors keeping up the pressure Alex Cowley's 59th minute free-kick was flicked away for a corner. Scott Hadland then won the ball in midfield on the hour but former Banbury striker Howard Forinton headed high from Lamey's cross. In another good spell of attacking, Cowley crossed from the right and Haywood drove over the bar in the 64th minute.

In a series of useful Banbury counter-attacks, Preston headed off his own goal-line on 73 minutes and a minute later Blossom touched over the bar from just five yards out when free on goal. Stuart Pierpoint then made a good interception to deny Blossom in the 79th minute.

Foster made a super 82nd minute save to keep out substitute Nick Smith's 20 yard drive with eight minutes remaining as the home defence held firm. In the dying seconds Preston and Pope made saving tackles to deny home substitute Matty Gooderick on another break.

HIGHER AND HIGHER

Team Bath 0 Yeltz 2

A magnificent 82 people saw the mighty Yeltz move up to 6th place with a convincing 2-0 win at Team Bath. It was actually a strange but good atmosphere, as those of us there had a great time seeing us play really well and well-desrving of another 3 points.

On Saturday we face a difficult away trip to Banbury, who we've just overtaken in the table. It's another crucial game if we are going to keep in contention, but if we can keep our good form going we have every chance.

Match Report from DJ

Team Bath: Giles; Rutter, Maye, Cozic (Blake 83), Coppard, Frost, Tisdale, M. Canham, Reid (Tonnley 53), S. Canham, Long (Adams 63). Unused Subs: Tillson, Chitty

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Johnson, Haywood, Preston, Pope, Cooper, Cowley (N. Smith 84), Lamey, Forinton (C. Smith 90), Hadland, Forsdick (Skidmore 90). Unused Subs: Pierpoint, Amos

Referee: A. Smith (Bridgwater) Attendance: 82 Booked: Reid (21), Haywood (57), Rutter (68)

In form Halesowen recorded another comfortable win to move up to sixth place in the league.

A tremendous run of 18 points from their last 8 games has seen the Yeltz emerge as serious play-off contenders and this time they despatched Team Bath, conquerors of previously unassailable Salisbury just two days earlier.

Dave Haywood hit an 11th minute free-kick at the home goalkeeper Giles and an Alex Cowley cross was then cleared. Nicki Preston met Haywood's 28th minute corner with a header but Giles turned the ball around the post and Preston then hit over from the resulting corner.

Halesowen took the lead on 42 minutes when Ian Cooper touched a throw-in back to Haywood and his cross was headed on by Scott Hadland for leading scorer Nathan LAMEY to prod home.

After the break Simon Forsdick worked clear in the 47th minute but his shot ricocheted into safety. Two minutes later Howard Forinton met Cooper's cross but the home goalkeeper made a spectacular clearance with his head. Forsdick then met Lamey's cross on the hour but Giles gathered at the second attempt. But Giles then had a lucky escape when he completely missed a 69th minute free-kick but Frost managed to clear from Steve Pope.

Halesowen completed their third successive 2-0 victory in the 75th minute when the ball broke for FORSDICK to come from behind a completely static home defence and take the ball around the goalkeeper before slotting home. Cowley then hit a 77th minute spectacular shot with the visitors in the driving seat.

As Halesowen sat back on their lead Sean Canham headed wide in the 87th minute and with two minutes remaining Dean Coleman had a let-off when a free-kick struck the crossbar and the rebound struck his back before dropping wide.

GETTING CLOSER

Yeltz 2 Evesham 0

The mighty Yeltz moved up a remarkable 6 places in the table with a solid 2-0 win at home to Evesham. Goals from Nathan and Howard moved us up into 7th place - which I think is our highest position so far this season - with games in hand on several of the teams above us.

We begin a crucial run of 4 away games out of 5 on Monday with a trip down to play Team Bath. They've only won 2 out of their last 8 games, but one of those was away at league leaders Salisbury on Saturday so it's not going to be easy. However I'll be at the game bringing my usual good luck along, and hopefully I won't end up kicking the dustbin like my last trip to Twerton Park. :-)

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Pierpoint, Haywood, Preston, Pope, Cooper, Cowley (N. Smith 81), Lamey (C. Smith 86), Forinton, Hadland, Forsdick (Skidmore 74). Unused Subs: Johnson, Teraud.

Evesham United: Adey; Watson, Robinson (Pinkney 69), Luckett, Hands, O'Toole, Duncan, A. Blake, Ball, Williams (Benjamin 69), Taylor. Unused Subs: Skyers, L. Blake, Knurek.

Referee: C. Miller (Kettering) Attendance: 402 Booked: Ball (33), Pierpoint(33), A. Blake (62) Sponsors' Man of the Match: Nicki Preston NLP Man of the Match: Simon Forsdick

Halesowen boosted their play-off hopes with a professional performance to record their fifth win in seven games.

Stuart Skidmore received a trophy before the kick-off to mark recently reaching 150 appearances in over ten years of service to Halesowen Town.

Worcestershire neighbours Evesham were unbeaten for four games and squandered an excellent chance in only the second minute when former Yeltz striker Richard Ball robbed Nicki Preston in front of goal but could only touch the ball against goalkeeper Dean Coleman. A minute later Simon Forsdick blasted at Evesham goalkeeper Dave Adey from the left. Coleman then did well to take out Ball's right-wing cross with John Williams advancing in the 7th minute.

The Yeltz grabbed the lead in the 11th minute with a well-worked goal when Forsdick's left-wing cross was headed back across goal by Howard Forinton to give leading goal-scorer Nathan LAMEY a simple close range tap-in.

On 23 minutes, Coleman produced an excellent finger-tip save to turn Rob Taylor's blistering 30-yard drive over the bar. But Halesowen response was immediate as Dave Haywood picked out Forinton seconds later only to see Adey save his drive from the right at the second attempt. After 26 minutes Scott Hadland's shot was then blocked in a good spell of home pressure.

The game developed into a midfield battle for the rest of the half with the brash, bustling visitors sending long balls into the area without really creating many good openings. But the Robins started the second half on fire as they pushed Halesowen back. Ball was eventually crowded out after Steve Pope's challenge in the 49th minute after finding a gap at the heart of the Halesowen defence and a minute later Coleman collected Richard Robinson's drive. Williams then blazed over the bar in the 53rd minute.

Halesowen came back to life in the 63rd minute when Forsdick's snap shot from the edge of the area was saved low-down by Adey. Victory was then sealed in the 65th minute after excellent work from Forsdick saw him win possession and the ball was flicked on for FORINTON to produce a fine finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards to notch his 12th goal of the season.

The second goal took the wind out of Evesham's sails as the Yeltz coasted home and they could've added a further goal in the 71st minute when Lamey's cross found Forinton in space but he hit his first-time shot wide from 18 yards.

BETTER

Chesham 0 Yeltz 2

The mighty Yeltz got back to winning ways with a convincing and necessary win against struggling Chesham. Goals from The Pope and Fozzy kept us within striking distance of the playoff zone, even though we're still down in 13th place .

Next week we play another struggling team, this time local rivals Evesham at The Grove on Saturday. Another three points are required if we are going to have any chance of promotion, but it still is all to play for, and as usual I am confident we can do it. 69 points was good enough for a playoff spot last year, which would be another 33 points in our remaining 18 games (10 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses doesn't seem unattainable to me).

Match Report from DJ

Chesham United: McCarthy; Stamp, Ulasi, Bowden-Haase, Bixby (Callender), Miller, Baker, Taiwo (McGowen 70), Goodrhan, Bacon, Higgins (Oatley 70). Unused Subs: Brown, Bailey

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Johnson, Haywood, Hadland (Teraud 90), Pope, Pierpoint, Cowley (Cooper 68), Lamey, C.Smith (Skidmore 78), Amos, Forsdick. Unused Sub: N.Smith

Referee: S. Atwell Attendance: 308 Booked: Bixby, Pope, Bowden-Haase

Halesowen ran out comfortable winners at strugglers Chesham thanks to first-half goals from captain Steven Pope and Simon Forsdick.

The visitors took the lead on 26 minutes when Paul McCarthy failed to hold onto a Pope header. Although Pope rose highest to connect with a well-delivered Nathan Lamey free-kick, his header lacked power and the keeper should have stopped it crossing the line. Halesowen doubled their lead ten minutes later when Forsdick found himself unmarked inside the box and slammed home a shot that McCarthy could do nothing about.

The Yeltz looked thoroughly in control of a game in which they were never forced to hit top gear and could easily have scored more as chances went begging in both halves. Lamey sent another free-kick wide of the post and Forsdick was unlucky not to get a second when his curling shot was headed off the line.

To their credit Chesham battled hard throughout the game, even after falling two goals behind. They certainly started the better of the two sides, and were unfortunate not to be awarded an early penalty, but mistakes cost them dear. The relegation threatened side failed to create many clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities and their best chance came early in the second-half when Matt Miller hit the post following a well-worked corner.

Things got even worse for the home side late on when the unfortunate McCarthy was stretchered off and having used all three substitutions they were forced to put centre-forward John Bacon in goal for the remainder of the match.

News Story

Yeltz 1 Chippenham 2

A good performance led to nothing, as the mighty Yeltz came up just short against championship chasing Chips and Ham. A first half equaliser from Alex got us in the game, but they took the lead again and despite some pressure we couldn't get an equaliser.

If you haven't seen it, check out the match videos at Yeltzy Mad's web site . These are an excellent addition to the Yeltz web sites and are much appreciated - well done Simon!

Our next few games look a little easier, starting with a game on Saturday at Chesham. No game appears to be easy (for us anyway!) but we really need to get our good run going again if we are going to challenge for promotion at all.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Pierpoint (Cooper 81), Haywood, Hadland, Pope, Knight, Cowley (C. Smith 78), Lamey, Forinton, Amos, Forsdick. Unused Subs: Skidmore, Johnson, N. Smith

Chippenham Town: Perrin; Charity, Jones, Adams, McEntegart, Badman, Allison, Herring, Gilroy (Rawlins 78), Griffin (Thorne 71), Kirk. Unused Subs: A. Stanley, Jefferies, N. Stanley

Referee: N. Radford (Worcester) Attendance: 463 Booked: Forinton, Cowley, Amos, Badman Sponsors' Man of the Match: Gary Knight

Battling Halesowen unfortunately left the field empty-handed as the high-flying Bluebirds made it nine wins from their last ten games.

However, in-form second-placed Chippenham were first on the attack as the Yeltz made a slow start. Dean Coleman collected Ian Herring's 9th minute corner and a minute later Dave Gilroy broke free but could only shoot weakly at Coleman under pressure from Gary Knight.

But GILROY then gave the visitors a 12th minute lead with a simple tap-in from Alan Griffin's right wing cross.

Alex Cowley eventually flashed a shot wide for Halesowen after 16 minutes and saw his 20th minute free-kick headed away for a corner by Ross Adams. Nathan Lamey then struck a weak half-volley after 22 minutes after being set up by Simon Forsdick.

COWLEY levelled the scores in the 26th minute when he sneaked in front of last man Ben Kirk to poke home under goalkeeper Steve Perrin after Dave Haywood's free-kick by-passed the visiting defence.

cleared. Stuart Pierpoint's pinpoint cross on 38 minutes then found Forsdick, but he dragged his shot wide from the left. On the stroke of half-time Perrin produced a splendid save to keep out Steve Pope's 20-yard volley.

At the start of the second period Forinton played the ball back across the Chippenham area but Pope's attempt was blocked.

KIRK restored Chippenham's lead on the hour when he volleyed through the Halesowen defence from 18-yards to beat Coleman after Herring's free-kick was only half-cleared.

Halesowen almost responded immediately when Perrin punched out Cowley's 61st minute free-kick and a close range effort from Nick Amos was cleared off the line.

Coleman saved Sam Allison's 65th minute header from Herring's corner but the visitors then survived some late pressure to keep up the heat on league-leaders Salisbury.

Perrin made a good save from Forinton's 79th minute wide-angled effort, Forsdick drove wide after the visitors failed to clear their lines after 82 minutes and Adams blocked Forinton's shot on the turn a minute later. Two minutes from time Amos saw his glancing header fall agonisingly wide from Lamey's corner.

END OF THE RUN

Hitchin 1 Yeltz 0

After three good wins over Xmas and New Year, the mighty Yeltz went down 1-0 to similarly in form Hitchin. They also missed a penalty, and by all accounts we pretty much deserved to lose. Oh well.

On Saturday Chippenham are the visitors to The Grove - so look out for the "we're bringing 300 away fans" messages on YeltzTalk any day soon now :-)

Match Report from DJ

Hitchin Town: Wilmot; Lochhead, Okai, Ayres, Folds, Hicks, French (Daniels 72), Cavill, Jaggard, Sozzo, Ducket. Unused Subs: Baldry, Lamacraft, Hayes, Mills.

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Cooper, Haywood, Preston, Pope, Knight, Hadland, Lamey (Smith 84), Forinton, Amos (Skidmore 75), Forsdick. Unused Subs: Cowley, Pierpoint, Johnson

Referee: D. Margetts Attendance: 293 Booked: Forinton (68)

Halesowen's run of victories came to an end at Top Field where the home side ran out worthy winners.

The visitors suffered a blow when in-form wide-man Alex Cowley limped out of the pre-match warm-up with a recurrence of his groin injury.

Hitchin Town dominated both halves of the game and looked especially dangerous down the flanks. On the left wing Parys Okai combined well with Mark Duckett while Daniel French raided effectively on the other side of the pitch. It was from these attacks that Hitchin forced a series of early corners, although they failed to seriously threaten.

Instead it was big centre back James Ayers who twice got forward and forced Dean Coleman into smart saves from goal bound headers. Elsewhere Hitchin skipper Josh Sozzo caused problems and only a late block in the six yard box prevented him from opening the scoring.

At the other end it was left to Nathan Lamey to carry the Halesowen attack alone and the striker was unlucky not to latch onto a stray back pass in the 25th minute. As first half came to a close Lamey again threatened the home goal. First he struck a beauty of a free kick from 25 yards which Richard Wilmot did well to push round the post. And it was Lamey who rattled the woodwork from the resulting corner.

Halesowen were lucky to survive a frenetic start to the second period when Sozzo blaz 52nd minute penalty high over the crossbar. However, the miss spurred on Hitchin who continued to boss the match and took the lead in the 63rd minute when Gavin JAGGARD beat the offside trap to finish calmly.

Lamey and Simon Forsdick wasted chances with the clock running down but it was too little too late from an under-par Yeltz team.

3 WINS ON THE TROT

Merthyr 2 Yeltz 3

The mighty Yeltz continued our impressive form with a third win over the holidays, this time a very good win away at Merthyr. We twice came from behind through goals from Fozzy, before a rare Skidder goal clinched the victory to keep us right in touch with the play-off positions. Just what we needed.

On Saturday we travel to Hitchin in what won't be an easy game, but let's hope we can keep our excellent run going.

Match Report from DJ

Merthyr Tydfil: Idzi; Robison, Keddle, Needs, Elliott, Griffiths, Fowler, D. Williams, Welsh (Steins 24 (S. Williams 62)), Shephard, Dorrian (Titcombe 75). Unused Subs: Jones, Eckhardt

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Cooper, Haywood, Preston, Pope, Knight, Cowley (Johnson 80), Lamey (C. Smith 84), Forinton, Amos (Skidmore 66), Forsdick. Unused Subs: Pierpoint, Teraud

Referee: R. Greenwood (Plymouth) Attendance: 512 Booked: Preston (12), Dorrian (42), Forinton (42), Fowler (53), Pope (76), Robison (86)

Happy Halesowen maintained their 100% festive sequence after coming from behind with two goals from Simon Forsdick completing a hat-trick of holiday wins.

But the Yeltz suffered an early 3rd minute hangover when Merthyr captain Mike FOWLER easily beat their defensive wall and stranded goalkeeper Dean Coleman to convert a direct free-kick after Gary Knight handled on the edge of the area. Knight then cleared after Coleman failed to grasp Fowler's 8th minute corner.

Young reserve home goalkeeper Lee Idzi collected Simon Forsdick's 14th minute cross but FORSDICK then levelled in the 15th minute by touching the ball past Idzi in the 6-yard box after Nick Amos climbed to head on Steve Pope's cross. On 23 minutes Idzi misjudged Dave Haywood's deep cross but Paul Keddle headed away for a corner.

Merthyr regained the lead in the 34th minute when Garry Shephard's shot deflected off Alex Cowley to deceive Coleman and allow Dane WILLIAMS to nod home. Just before the interval Cowley played a neat one-two with Amos but placed his 18-yard shot wide of the mark.

Halesowen made a positive start to the second period and Darren Robison cleared away Nathan Lamey's 47th minute header from Cowley's free-kick. Two minutes later, Cowley's cross was headed out from underneath his own crossbar by Gareth Elliott.

FORSDICK equalised again after 50 minutes by poking home his second goal from close range after good work on the right set up Lamey to shoot from 12-yards. A 58th minute cross from Cowley then beat Idzi but the ball fell just beyond Forsdick.

Halesowen grabbed a scrappy 70th minute winner when Forsdick challenged and poked the ball through the centre for substitute Stuart SKIDMORE to prod home a rare goal just past Idzi under pressure just four minutes after arriving on the field.

For the home side Steve Williams drove just wide on 71 minutes and Dale Griffiths nodded a Fowler corner over the bar after 77 minutes. Two minutes later Steve Williams then headed a cross from substitute Lee Titcombe over the bar.

But Halesowen defended their lead solidly to condemn Merthyr to their fifth straight home defeat and almost struck again in the 84th minute when Lamey hit a good chance just wide from 18 yards on the break.