SIMPLE

BSC Yeltz 3 Studley 0

The mighty Yeltz moved through to the last 16 of the B'ham Senior Cup with an easy victory over Alliance team Studley. Goals from Leroy , Reece and Big Rich sent the meagre crowd of 212 home as happy as a Halesowen crowd gets.

According to the Non-League Paper , we're close to signing Phil Trainer , a young midfielder who's previously played for Crewe.

Saturday's game at home to struggling Folkestone is obviously very important, so let's hope for three points!

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Reece, Smith, L. Collins, Stone, Skidmore (Phillips 80), Ashby (Leadbeater 63), May (Elmes HT), Master, Newall. Unused Subs: Hines, Garvey

Studley FC: Lewis; Keight, Kavanagh, Beddowes (Butler 65), Hands, Mitchell, Grubb (Cross 65), Harmer (Rowlands 80), Crisp, Johnson, Neath

Referee: J. Whitehouse (Coseley) Booked: Hands (34) Attendance: 212

Halesowen booked their place in the last sixteen of the Birmingham Senior Cup with a comfortable win over Midland Alliance Studley FC.

The visitors stunned the Halesowen defence in the 4th minute when a diving header from Mark Beddowes hit the post. Almost immediately Kirk Master replied by cracking a 25-yard effort against the Studley woodwork at the Stourbridge Road end with Leroy May hitting the rebound high. A 13th minute shot from Ian Mitchell then brought a flying save out of Tim Clarke.

The Yeltz took a 21st minute lead with MAY heading home a right wing corner from Master. Mitchell drove wide in the 29th minute for Studley but Halesowen went two goals ahead in the 35th minute through Dominic REECE with a 20-yard direct free-kick after Steve Hands had brought down John Newall on the edge of the box.

Half-time substitute Rob Elmes put a 52nd minute free header wide of the mark from Richard Colwell's cross but a minute later Elmes forced a blocking save from Danny Lewis. Master then planted a firm header in the path of Reece for the full-back to fire a fierce shot at Lewis. Lewis made another fine save from Master's 18-yard shot in the 75th minute.

Studley enjoyed a fair proportion of second-half possession and had a good chance to pull a goal back in the 81st minute when Mark Crisp hit against the bar from 10-yards but substitute Kevin Rowlands then blasted the rebound high from in front of goal.

Halesowen added a third goal in the 87th minute when Lewis failed to hold a shot from the right by Master leaving substitute Richard LEADBEATER with a simple tap-in. On full-time, Master broke from his own half and set up Elmes but the striker completely missed the target with the goal at his mercy.

WE WON THE SECOND HALF

Havant 3 Yeltz 1

The mighty Yeltz's unbeaten run came to a disappointing end with a 3-1 defeat against Havant and Waterlooville .

We started with a pretty defensive team, without Jason up front and with Kirk on the bench, but found ourselves one down after a long distance shot took a massive deflection to leave Clarkey no chance. They scored a second not long after when Tim came for and missed a corner, and when we went three down before the break it was really all over.

Second half showed a huge improvement, and when Leroy scored from close range with a header we were sort of back in it. Brendan really went for it bringing on Kirk, Reece and Elmes we just couldn't score again despite having much the better of the play.

They weren't a bad team at all, and it shows how tough it's going to be all season. We've slipped back to 17th place and are only out of the bottom four on goal difference. Makes next Saturday's game at home to struggling Folkestone very important, although don't forget Tuesday's B'ham Senior Cup tie at home to Studley , with entrance prices are much reduced.

Match Report from DJ

Havant & Waterlooville: Sparshatt; Champion, Ferrett, Masson, Hall, Hanson, Wood (Ford 55), Hale, Howe, Taylor (Leworthy 90), Haughton. Unused Subs: Davis, Gale, Middleton

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Hines, Smith (Master 55), L. Collins, Stone, Skidmore, Leadbeater, May, R. Collins (Reece 76), Newall (Elmes 80). Unused Subs: Spencer, Garvey

Referee: I. Woodward (Seaford) Attendance: 436 Booked: L. Collins (68)

Halesowen's recent run of good form came to an abrupt halt with Havant warming up for their important FA Cup tie at Dagenham by romping to a three goal half-time lead.

The Hawks were forced to introduce Calvin Sparshatt due to a goalkeeping crisis that saw their three goalkeepers unavailable, but the stand-in keeper had an easy ride despite punching clear a cross from Les Hines in the 3rd minute.

In the 5th minute Ross Collins headed clear a Chris Ferrett cross and Tim Clarke managed a fingertip save from a dangerous Alec Masson cross. Richard Leadbeater turned well but his 13th minute shot was deflected for a corner before the Yeltz endured a wretched 20-minute spell in which they conceded three goals to effectively end the game.

After an 18th minute goalmouth tussle the ball broke for Shaun Hale to fire in a 25-yard shot that was heading well wide until James Taylor extended a leg to divert the ball past Clarke into the net. Gavin Stone headed away from under his own cross bar on 32 minutes and when Clarke failed to gather Ferrett's corner it allowed Gareth Hall to shoot through the crowded penalty area into an empty net with the help of another deflection. With the danger of being over-run in midfield the visiting defence was caught out again in the 37th minute when another Ferrett right-wing corner was headed home low down in the 6-yard box by Taylor.

The Yeltz looked more purposeful in the second period and pulled a goal back in the 51st minute when Hines swung in a corner for Leroy May to head home his first goal since returning to the club. Bobby Howe drove just wide from 20-yards and Howe then shot wide when Clarke lost a cross from Taylor in the 58th minute.

With Halesowen seeking more goals, a Hines corner fell to Ross Collins in the 63rd minute but he prodded the ball wide from close range before substitute Kirk Master saw his 25-yard free-kick turned for a corner. A 67th minute Master cross then ran across the face of the Havant goal with Leadbeater unable to provide the crucial touch.

In the dying minutes Halesowen's Leadbeater eventually brought a fine save out of Sparshatt from a 15-yard curling effort. Taylor should have completed his hat-trick at the other end but he scooped a Howe cross wide when unmarked and Hale's cross then hit the angle of the crossbar three minutes from time with Clarke back-pedalling.

FANTASTIC!

FAT Yeltz 4 Bath 3

I think we can definitely say we've turned the season around. In an unbelieveably exciting FA Trophy tie, we beat Bath 4-3 after they had twice come from behind to level.

We took an early lead through the increasingly influential Jason Ashby , but they equalised before half-time. We retook the lead through Colwell just after the break, and after Ashby made it 3-1 not long after it was looking very good. However, they soon got one back, and then made it 3-3 before Rob Elmes got the winner to take us through to the second round. Hurrah! As ever, read DJ's match report for full details on the match.

Saturday takes us back to league action with an important game at Havant . Although we're five games unbeaten now we're still in a precarious position so it's important we keep the run going against a team that was fancied to compete for the title before the season began.

EVEN BETTER

DMC Worcester 0 Yeltz 1

After Saturday's draw in the league, The Yeltz went one better in beating Worcester 1-0 in the League Cup. A first half goal from Jason Ashby clinched an excellent victory in a competition we've traditionally done pretty badly in.

Bath City visit The Grove on Saturday in another competition we don't have much of a record in - the FA Trophy. After the stuffing we got down there, it will be interesting to see how much we've improved since then, and it would be nice to have a decent run in the Trophy for once.

Match Report from DJ

Worcester City: Wyatt, Davies, Charlton, Heeley, Jones, Jackson, McDonald (Tomkins 75), Carty, Willetts, Middleton (Owen 62), Holmes. Subs: Holloway, Parker, McDonnell

Halesowen Town: Clarke, Colwell, Reece (Graham 62), Skidmore, Stone, Newall, Quiggin, Ashby (May 65), Leadbeater, Master, R. Collins. Subs: May, Smith, Hines, Garvey

Referee: R. Green (Glos.) Booked: Master, Stone(40), Carty(68)

Halesowen ran out winners and kept another clean sheet in the second meeting between the local rivals within three days.

The Yeltz hit the winning goal after 29 minutes when the ever-improving Jason Ashby latched onto a long ball and lobbed goalkeeper Paul Wyatt superbly from 25 yards. Two minutes before half-time Worcester's Willetts headed just wide. Ashby nearly notched a second in the 58th minute but his lob fell inches wide into the side-netting.

Tim Clarke continued his fine form from Saturday by dominating his area and dealing admirably with anything Worcester could throw his way. Worcester went close to equalising on the hour with a 25-yard Leon Jackson dipping shot but Clarke back-peddled to tip over the bar. Clarke then saved a rasping David Holmes drive three minutes from time.

In the final minute Halesowen went close again when Ross Collins headed on a corner for Leroy May to cleverly send on a back header but Wyatt produced a reflex save with John Newall close to touching the ball over the line.

GOOD ENOUGH

Yeltz 0 Worcester 0

After the recent goal-fests, the mighty Yeltz got back to not scoring at The Grove. However by keeping a clean sheet we earned a creditable 0-0 draw with league leaders Worcester. It was an exciting encounter with both keepers making some good saves. Full details in the match reports .

We meet Worcester again on Monday, this time at their place in the League Cup before Bath visit The Grove next Saturday in the FA Trophy. After the stuffing we got down there, it will be interesting to see how much we've improved since then, and it would be nice to have a decent run in the Trophy for once.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Hines, Smith, Stone, Newall, Skidmore, Ashby, May, Master (Reece 90), R. Collins. Unused Subs: Leadbeater, Quiggin, Garvey

Worcester City: McDonnell; Davies, Jones, Heeley, Holloway, Snape, Middleton, Lyons, Owen (Carty 67), Webster, Holmes. Unused Subs: Willetts, McDonald, Parker, Wyatt

Referee: C. Henry (Northampton) Attendance: 803 Booked: Stone (52)

Halesowen's improved form was maintained in an end-to-end encounter that ended all square against league leaders Worcester City. Gavin Stone was given a home debut due to the suspension of Lee Collins and went on to be named man-of-the-match in a faultless display at the heart of the Halesowen defence.

Ross Collins put Kirk Master free to shoot weakly at former-Yeltz goalkeeper Danny McDonnell in the 3rd minute and four minutes later Master touched a free-kick to Les Hines but his effort was deflected for a corner-kick that Ross Collins headed just high.

Adam Webster broke for Worcester in the 9th minute and he crossed for Darren Middleton to miscue his shot, although the ball then looped dangerously with Tim Clarke having to touch the ball onto the top of the crossbar. Halesowen's acting captain Richard Colwell found Master in the 13th minute with a delightful through ball but McDonnell was able to block from close range. Master then took advantage of a slip by visiting defender Allan Davies and his 18-yard shot was grabbed at the second attempt by McDonnell. Worcester's Webster then headed against the far post after 26 minutes and fired a shot at Clarke as the game continued to swing from end to end.

On the half-hour Master sent over a dangerous cross that eluded the Worcester defence but Leroy May was inches from connecting. Carl Heeley was then forced to concede a corner after a surging run from Jason Ashby. Stone made a fine 39th minute interception and sent Stuart Skidmore on a break up the field and he in turn set up May to drive at McDonnell from 15 yards. Just before half-time Hines played a wing-to-wing ball to Colwell and his cross was grasped at full stretch by McDonnell, with May set to pounce.

The second half continued at a lightning pace with David Holmes weaving himself into a good position before shooting wide from 20 yards for the visitors. Another dangerous Master cross drifted inches wide after 55 minutes and two minutes later May put a free header just wide from a Hines cross. Clarke grabbed a right-wing corner at the second attempt with the help of Ross Collins after 59 minutes and on the hour Ashby turned his defender John Holloway but chipped just over the bar. A great 64th minute break then saw Webster break free of John Newall before pushing his 15-yard shot inches wide of Clarke's post.

Clarke preserved Halesowen's point with a series of late saves. In the 75th minute the injured Clarke made a great reflex stop from Middleton and when the rebound fell to Webster the loud appeals for a penalty due to a tackle from behind were denied. Halesowen then went close themselves when Ashby crossed to Collins but the ball was blocked on the line and Colwell embarked on a solo run from his own defence but he elected to shoot weakly at McDonnell. From Worcester's counter-attack Webster poked a Pat Lyons volley just past the post.

Three minutes from time Clarke made another great fingertip save from Carty's deflected volley.

KEEP THE FAITH

Weymouth 1 Yeltz 4

If we just believe in Brendan, he'll sort everything out. After some interesting transfer moves this week, the mighty Yeltz continued their improved form with a brilliant 4-1 victory over Weymouth.

We took an early lead through Richard Colwell , and then doubled our lead before half-time through Kirk Master . Things got a little tense when they pulled one back, but further goals from Jason Ashby and Big Rich Leadbetter has taken us up to a much healthier 16th place in the table .

Thanks to Chris Davis, you can view a video clip of Kirk's goal .

I'm sure you know already, but we've released Mark Taylor and Jason Burnham, and replaced them with old favorite Leroy May and defender Gavin Stone .

Next Saturday brings local rivals and league leaders Worcester City to The Grove. With ex-Yeltz favorites Danny McDonnell and John Snape in their squad, it should be an interesting affair.

Match Report from DJ

Weymouth: Matthews; Tully, S. Browne, A. Browne, Kenway, Jones, Sajic (Mutch 35(Dean 76)), Hutchinson, Rawlinson (Whiteman HT), Charles, Phillips. Unused Subs: Spencer, Critchell

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Hines, Smith, L. Collins, Newall, Skidmore, Ashby, May (Leadbeater 80), Master (Stone 89), R. Collins. Unused Subs: Reece, Quiggin, Garvey

Referee: K. Haines (Waterlooville) Attendance: 602 Booked: S. Browne (27), Kenway (55)

Halesowen welcomed the return of lively Leroy May by cruising to their best win of the season against a woeful Weymouth.

With Halesowen in full control little was seen of Weymouth as an attacking force although Tim Clarke grabbed an 8th minute corner and Lee Collins blocked a 12th minute run by Simon Browne.

The persistence of Ross Collins won a 13th minute corner with Lee Collins just failing to connect when Neil Smith headed on for Les Hines. Jason Ashby then hit just over the bar.

Full-back Richard COLWELL set the Yeltz on their way by scoring his first goal for the club when his teasing 14th minute cross deceived home goalkeeper Jason Matthews in Seaman-style and drifted into the top corner of the net. Colwell's 19th minute cross was then deflected with Matthews just beating May to the ball. Kirk Master was brought down by Simon Browne after 27 minutes and MASTER struck the direct free-kick sweetly into the corner of the net from 20 yards to increase the lead.

Lee Collins made a goal-line clearance in the 34th minute and five minutes before the break Clarke grabbed a 20-yard drive from Carl Mutch at the second attempt. At the other end, May scooped over in the 62nd minute when Lee Collins and Neil Smith combined from a corner. Three minutes later Ashby latched onto a through ball with May eventually winning another corner.

Weymouth pulled a goal back out of the blue when John CHARLES headed a Lee Phillips cross beyond the reach of Tim Clarke in the 74th minute. Yet anything but an emphatic victory for Halesowen would have been grossly unfair to a fine controlled display from the Yeltz who finally produced an emphatic scoreline with two late goals.

ASHBY was put clear on goal by Lee Collins in the 87th minute and although the 19-year old striker hit straight at Matthews he went one better seconds later when he latched onto another long ball and confidently rounded Matthews to slot home Halesowen's third goal. A minute later substitute Richard LEADBEATER tricked his way past Mark Kenway in the penalty area and smashed home a fourth goal from 15 yards with the well-beaten Weymouth fans calling for the head of their ex-Salisbury City manager Geoff Butler.

News Story

WSC Stourport 0 Yeltz 3

It's always nice to win, even if it is only in the Worcestershire Senior Cup. A 3-0 victory over Western Division strugglers Stourport Swifts isn't exactly a landmark result, but it's a good way to try and get over the weekend's disappointment. Goals from Jason Ashby, and firsts from Kelvin Phillips and Kirk Master clinched our place in the next round in front of a massive 98 people.

The other big news is the release of Mark Taylor and Jason Burnham. They had excellent seasons last year, but both struggled to some extent in the Premier Division and the management felt they could be released to free up some money that I presume will be invested in other players. You can read the press release from the club in YeltzTalk .

Saturday brings a long trip down to Weymouth in the league, in what is - as ever - an important game for us to try and get some points out of.

Match Report from DJ

Stourport Swifts: Nicholson; Kilgour (Laker 66), Ulfig, Mulders, Medou-Otie, Nicholls, Giddings, Fletcher, Stainer, Bayliss, Sall. Unused Subs: R. Clarke, Vilocy, Beard

Halesowen Town: T. Clarke; Colwell, Hines, Smith, L. Collins, Newall, Skidmore, Ashby, Elmes (Leadbeater 55), Master, Quiggin (Phillips 55). Unused Subs: Reece, R. Collins, Garvey

Referee: J. Cox (Evesham) Attendance: 98 Booked: Newall (27), Ulfig (50), Skidmore (85)

The huge gap between the Western Division and the Premier was exposed for the second time in a month as Halesowen cruised to victory to set up a tie with Worcester City in the next round.

Stourport started brightly on a night of foul weather and Malik Sall burst through the centre of the Yeltz defence before striking wide in the 3rd minute. Ex-Halesowen striker Kerry Giddings playing a captain's role then ran down the right and his cross skidded across a sodden surface with Tim Clarke just able to collect. At the other end a 14th minute strike from Kirk Master squirted just wide.

Giddings carved open the Halesowen defence again down the right in the 18th minute but neither Ed Bayliss nor Sall could latch onto his dangerous cross. A 21st minute cross from Jason Ashby left Master to toe-poke into the arms of Steve Nicholson for the visitors and on the half-hour Master snatched at another chance and hit well over the bar.

Halesowen hit the opening goal in the 31st minute when Les Hines swung over a cross that was headed on by Rob Elmes and, when Nicholson failed to gather, ASHBY was on hand to touch the ball over the line. Richard Colwell surged forward in the 40th minute but couldn't find a good enough header to hit home a Hines cross.

Giddings drove just wide at the start of the second period for the home side but it was Halesowen who went close when Manager's son Kelvin Phillips headed back a Hines cross but Ashby missed from just 3 yards in the 58th minute. Halesowen increased their lead in the 61st minute when Richard Leadbeater headed down for PHILLIPS to turn home smartly from close range.

Stourport's Bayliss drove into the side-netting in the 65th minute but Halesowen hit a decisive third goal in a sweeping 73rd minute move that saw Colwell play a great wing-to-wing ball to Hines who then crossed for MASTER to hit home his first goal for the Yeltz from 15-yards.

On full time, Sall broke free of the Halesowen defence, but Giddings drove wide and Halesowen's Ashby turned to curl an effort just wide from Leadbeater's cross.

DOWN AND OUT

FAC Moor Green 3 Yeltz 1

Despite taking an early lead through Jason Ashby, the Yeltz crashed out of the FA Cup in a hotly disputed game at Moor Green.

According to what you lot are saying the ref was abysmal, giving them two dubious penalties, us hundreds of bookings and sending Lee Collins off for nothing. Not a good day, and a real downer after the excitement of Tuesday. I'm sure there will be loads more discussion on YeltzTalk about the game.

Of course losing in the Cup meant we missed out on the substantial prize money that's on offer for winners of each round. This makes even more relevant last week's press release from the club about how they would like to restructure the board to promote external investment.

Tuesday takes us back to Stourport Swifts in the Worcester Senior Cup, before Saturday's long trip down to Weymouth in the league.

IT'S A MIRACLE

Yeltz 2 Ilkeston 1

The mighty Yeltz gained a crucial three points tonight, with two goals in the last three minutes against bottom placed Ilkeston.

After going behind in the first half, it was looking pretty desparate until Rob Elmes equalised in the 88th minute, and then Marky Taylor got a winner in injury time for our first victory at The Grove all season. More details as soon as I get them.

We're still 20th in the table , but are still in touch with most of the bottom half - we're only 5 points behind 11th placed Newport.

There's a welcome break from league football on Saturday with an important FA Cup tie at Moor Green - as well as the glory there's the prize money we'll gain if we get through. Let's have it!

GUTTED

Hastings 3 Yeltz 2

I still can't believe we threw it away. In the most depressing result for some time, the mighty Yeltz came back from 2-0 down to equalise in the last five minutes before letting Hastings score a sickening winner straight afterwards.

We started off very brightly with Kirk Master in particular showing some excellent touches, but some poor defending let them take the lead against the run of play and then they went 2-0 up with a stunning long distance strike just after. However they then had a bloke sent off for what appeared to be mouthing off to the ref after being booked, which gave us an excellent chance of getting back into it.

We were pretty much all over them in the second half with the extra man, got one back from a Leadbeater header, and should of equalised just after when Ashby (I think) missed a very good chance from close in. We finally did pull level when sub Andy Spencer set up Elmesy in the 87th minute, but unbeliveably they went down the other end and snatched an unlikely winner. Elmes got sent off for swinging at a defender, but it was already too late and we'd lost in very depressing circumstances.

We've slipped another place to 20th in the table , which makes Tuesday's game at The Grove against Ilkeston extremely important. They're currently bottom having scored even fewer than us, but they did beat fellow strugglers Folkestone yesterday so it's not going to be easy.

Saturday's FA Cup tie at Moor Green is also very important, not least for the prize money we'll gain if we get through. It's a crucial week so let's all get behind the team and hope for two victories.

Match Report from DJ

Hastings Utd: King; Yates, Hegley, Osborne, Burt, Flanagan, Myall, Ruddy, Zahana-Oni, Simmonds, Honey (Webb 84). Unused Subs: Body, Sims

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham (Reece 45), R. Collins, L. Collins, Newall, Master, Ashby (Elmes 62), Leadbeater, Taylor, Hines (Spencer 84). Unused Subs: Smith, Garvey

Referee: A.Cork (Lewes) Attendance: 543

Booked: Simmonds (10), Ruddy (64), Reece (80) Sent Off: Zahana-Oni(37), Elmes (89)

Halesowen had only themselves to blame for leaving the South coast empty-handed and continue their alarming slide towards the foot of the table. Hastings, reduced to ten men and unable to name a full complement of substitutes due to injury and suspensions, must have been surprised to find themselves with a two-goal half-time lead.

In the first few minutes Hastings won a corner that was easily collected by Tim Clarke and Stuart Myall drove wide from 18 yards under pressure from Richard Colwell. At the other end Kirk Master drove at goalkeeper Dave King from 25 yards. Hastings looked to have taken a 13th minute lead when Adam Flanagan picked up a loose ball and drove into the side netting from close range.

Little was seen of Halesowen as an attacking threat in a poor first half performance although back in-favour Ross Collins beat five Hastings players on a mazy run before seeing his 21st minute shot blocked for a corner.

The Arrows were gifted a 30th minute lead when Jason Burnham lost the ball to Steve Yates on the edge of the area to leave the Hastings player with only Clarke to beat. Clarke was able to force Yates wide but he crossed for Landry ZAHANA-ONI to back-heel home on the goal-line. Richard Leadbeater and Les Hines just failed to connect a minute later as confusion reigned in the Hastings defence. Worse then followed for the Yeltz when Paul RUDDY smashed a 25-yard drive into the top corner to increase the lead in the 34th minute.

Zahana-Oni turned villain and gave Halesowen renewed hope when he was dismissed on 37 minutes for failing to retreat at a free-kick and gesturing sarcastically at the referee. Demoralised Halesowen then gave the ball away again in the 41st minute allowing Nick Hegley to cross for Chris Honey to head just high.

Halesowen took full control of the game after half-time and for periods were virtually camped in the Hastings half. The arrears were eventually reduced in the 57th minute when Leadbeater turned in the box and hit a Dominic Reece cross over and from the resulting corner LEADBEATER powered home a close range header. Jason Ashby missed a glorious chance to equalise four minutes later when he put a free header wide from a Richard Colwell cross. Ross Collins then drilled just wide after 65 minutes from 15 yards and six minutes from time both Leadbeater and Mark Taylor were close to goal but could not find a way through. Colwell then clipped just over when substitute Rob Elmes headed down.

The second half dominance finally paid off in the 87th minute when substitute Andy Spencer beat his marker on the left to cross for ELMES to head home. However, the Yeltz threw the point away with a lack of discipline in the final minute as sloppy defending allowed Danny Simmonds to fire the winner for Hastings from six yards in their only real attempt on goal in the second half. Despondent Elmes was sent off in the dying seconds for allegedly striking out at Tony Burt and showing dissent towards the referee's assistant.