SOME TRANSFER NEWS

I expect you've been a bit distracted by the World Cup like me, but there's been a few bits of news of the Mighty Yeltz.

On the transfer front, we've signed old favourite Rob Elmes , and also his ex-Hereford teammate Jimmy Quiggin and attacking midfielder. A couple of good additions to the squad I would say. We won't be getting back ther other old boys Snapper and Piearce as they've signed for Worcester and Hednesford respectively. We're also looking to sign former Wolves reserve striker Richard Leadbetter if he can prove his fitness.

The voting for the Yeltz Hall of Fame has now closed, so you can see who's made it into the list of all time greats.

The full list of friendlies (I think!) is now available on the fixtures page , with the first game on July 16th at the Harriers. Also, Mr. Cooper has produced a lovely poster for you to download, print out and put in your window to get all those waverers to get down The Grove this season. Come on!

TICKET PRICES FOR NEXT SEASON

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HARRIERS

After all the speculation, the details of our partnership with Halesowen Harriers has been announced. According to the press release : Not much of excitement really, other than we're going to have a back and white away kit next year. I recommend you read the full release for yourselves.

No news of any transfers as yet, but there's much discussion around Snapper, Rob Elmes and Steve Pie-arce all been released by Hereford. News as soon as I hear anything. There's has been drips and drabs of news of friendlies and I'll add them to the site as soon as someone can confirm the details for me.

ROLL ON NEXT SEASON

Yeltz 0 Bedworth 1

It's been a nice little holiday, and of course it's been great to win the league, but next season we'll be back where we should never have left - in the Premier Division.

Congratulations to Brendan, the players and everyone else who've turned the club around after the disastrous Chambers/Moore era and given us all hope again. Next year could be very important if the planned reorganisation of the 3 feeder leagues into 2 goes ahead, but with Brendan in charge I'm very confident in the future.

Today's game was a bit of a let down after last week's excitement with the mighty Yeltz losing 1-0 to Bedworth but it doesn't matter one bit. Neil Smith deservedly won player of the season, with Mark Taylor second and Tim Clarke and Lee Collins equal third.

Other results saw King's Lynn and Newport IOW (unfortunately) relegated along with Merthyr and Salisbury, and Grantham joining Hastings in being promoted from the Eastern Division. Also, Kettering overtook Tamworth to clinch promotion to the Conference.

As usual, the site will continue to bring you any news throughout the summer, and if I have time I'm also looking to overhaul the site. As ever, if you've got any suggestions mail me . Enjoy the World Cup and I'll see you all next season. Oh, and don't forget the Hall of Fame vote.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith (Cowley 76), L. Collins, Newall, Spencer, Jones (R. Collins 59), May (G. Smith 59), Taylor, Hines

Bedworth United: Williams; Oddy, Lloyd (Sewell 45), Sanders, Richardson, Parsons, Steane, Gibson, Aston (Drewitt 59), Partridge (Morson 80), Whitmore

Referee: C. Sarginson (Rugeley) Attendance: 731 Sponsors' Man of the Match: Mark Taylor

Halesowen were presented with the Dr Martens Western Championship Shield by Janet Lloyd (the daughter of Harry Rudge) in front of the Harry Rudge Stand at the end of their final game of the season. Prior to the game Neil Smith was selected as the Supporters' Player of the Season with Mark Taylor gaining second place and Lee Collins sharing third spot with Tim Clarke.

On the pitch itself, the game was tailor-made for that well-worn phrase "a typical end-of-season affair" with Halesowen showing little of the form that brought Premier football back to the Grove in a tremendous season. Bedworth's winning goal came out of the blue in the 15th minute when the ball broke kindly for Richard Gibson to despatch a 20-yard drive beyond Tim Clarke. For all their possession Halesowen created few clear-cut chances and found the bone dry surface broke up their usual fluent style. Andy Spencer crossed in the 21st minute but Leroy May scooped the ball over the bar and on the half-hour Richard Colwell crossed for Andy Jones to blast over from 10-yards out. Two minutes later Jones shot weakly at Richard Williams after Mark Taylor had waltzed through the Bedworth back-line. Just before the break the Yeltz won a series of corners from Les Hines and Mark Taylor but Lee Collins hit his volley way over the bar from 10 yards out.

At the start of the second half Hines blasted a 15-yard free-kick just past the post as the newly crowned Champions tried to fight back. A 56th minute clearance fell kindly for Jones but another chance went begging when he volleyed wide in front of an open goal. Jason Burnham then drilled just wide before a rare Bedworth attack saw Chris Partridge bringing a save out of Tim Clarke. On the hour Burnham's shot took a deflection but Richard Williams just tipped the ball away from the foot of the post. Six minutes later a long throw-in from Burnham was headed into the arms of Williams by Andy Spencer. A minute from time Bedworth almost increased their lead in a rare break but substitute Andy Morson shot straight at Clarke as the uneventful game drew to a close.

Despite the disappointing game, the mood swiftly changed to thoughts of the Championship with jubilant Yeltz fans relishing the prospect of a swift return to the Premier Division. The presentation of the Manager of the Month award for March to Brendan Phillips was followed by Lee Collins collecting the Championship Shield with "We are the Champions" ringing out around the Grove.

CHAMPIONS!

Mangotsfield 1 Yeltz 2

Just brilliant! The mighty Yeltz clinched the Western Division title in style with a brilliant comeback against an excellent Mangotsfield side.

The first half was pretty even and uneventful, but then the Yeltz faithful were shocked when Mangotsfield took probably a deserved lead 10 minutes after the break. However, we should have known not to worry (easy to write that now). Mark Taylor broke through their defence, rounded the keeper and took what seemed ages to calmly slot in the equaliser. Then a fantastic goal to win it - Les Hines hit a perfect 50 yard pass over the top for Andy Jones to control and fire home the winner. The massed ranks of fans wearing their Brendan Phillips' T-shirts celebrated in style and everyone was very, very happy. Hurrah!

Congratulations to Brendan and the team for making us very very happy in what's been a brilliant season for everyone. Roll on next season.

There's strong rumours that we've come to some agreement with Halesowen Harriers about them being some sort of feeder club for us - more if and when I hear. Also don't forget the Yeltz Hall of Fame - your chance to recognise players, managers or indeed anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to Halesowen Town.

Saturday brings Bedworth to The Grove for the last game of the season when the Championship Shield (I think that's what it is) will be presented.

Match Report from DJ

Mangotsfield Utd: R. Clarke; Hedges (Pendry 75), Hallett, Barlass, Hendy (Crowley 69), Loydon, Claridge, Summers, Edwards, Seal, Brooks. Sub: Penny

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins, Newall, Cowley (Spencer 62 (R. Collins 87)), Jones, May (Bailey 29), Taylor, Hines

Referee: T. Curtis (Bath) Attendance: 403 Booked: Taylor (26), L. Collins (40), Brooks (90).

Halesowen finally secured the league title in style but were made to fight back from a goal behind against a strong in-form Mangotsfield. The victory extended Halesowen's unbeaten league run to 18 games and wrecked Mangotsfield's own stretch of 11 games without defeat.

The first half developed into a tough midfield battle with few chances although Mark Summers drilled just wide for Mangotsfield after two minutes and Andy Jones glanced a free header wide of the mark from Jason Burnham's 9th minute cross. Mark Taylor then played the ball down the centre of the field after 21 minutes but goalkeeper Rob Clarke raced off his line to beat Alex Cowley to the ball. Cowley then went on to clip a Burnham throw-in just over the bar a minute later. The visitors won their first corner on the half-hour when a shot from Les Hines was blocked and from the corner kick the hosts eventually cleared efforts from Hines and John Newall. A minute before the break Tim Clarke saved a volley from Nick Brooks after incisive approach play from the home side.

The game sprung to life in an exciting second period with the Yeltz forcing three early corners with Rob Clarke producing a splendid reflex save from a Lee Collins header. Hines then raced down the right wing and pulled the ball back but Dennis Bailey hit wide of the mark. Mangotsfield took a 55th minute lead when a long ball from Darren Edwards found David Seal free on the left and he played a delightful ball across goal for Rob Claridge to convert. The goal inspired the league leaders with Newall volleying wide after 57 minutes but it was the introduction of the threatening Andy Spencer that caused the real damage to Mangotsfield.

Mark Taylor equalised on 65 minutes when he charged down a clearance from Lee Barlass and took the ball on to beat the last man and round goalkeeper Rob Clarke before calmly hitting home. Mangotsfield beat the Halesowen defence again with neat approach play in the 71st minute but Claridge smashed the ball against the post allowing Richard Colwell to hack the ball clear of danger. The visitors notched the winner after 83 minutes when Andy Jones took down a long ball from Hines and prodded past Rob Clarke. In a frantic finish Seal smashed an 88th minute goalbound free-kick from 25 yards but Tim Clarke flew through the air to turn the ball for a corner. Bailey then volleyed inches wide from a Colwell cross as Halesowen played the possession game. Clarke made another tremendous save to protect the lead in the 89th minute when Seal met a cross with a low header but Clarke raced across goal to gather the ball into his midriff.

After 8 minutes of stoppage time the final whistle set the champagne corks popping and signalled the start of partying on the terraces. The trophy will be presented after the final game of the season against Bedworth at the Grove next Saturday 27th April.

STRETCHING IT OUT

Yeltz 0 Gloucester 0

We're still waiting to be mathematically certain of going up as Champions after a second successive draw at home to Gloucester. It would have been nice to clinch it at The Grove, but we now only need a point from the last two games assuming Chippenham win their last game. Chippenham themselves have now confirmed promotion, and beat Cirencester 3-1 on Thursday.

Saturday takes us to Mangotsfield for the last away game of the season and the usual fancy dress shenanigans. It should be an excellent day out to try and finish this successful season off in style.

There's a new section of the site that I'm very excited about - the Yeltz Hall of Fame . It's your chance to recognise players, managers or indeed anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to Halesowen Town. Please check it out.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Davies; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins, Cowley (Bailey), Spencer (G. Smith), Jones, May, Taylor, Hines. Sub: R. Collins

Gloucester City: Bath; Steadman, Marshall (Webb), Griffiths, Wilkinson, McCluskey, Burns, Jenkins, Thompson (L. Smith), Hoskins, Prince. Sub: Howard

Referee: S. Ainge (Walsall) Attendance: 777 Sponsors' Man of the Match: Lee Collins

Halesowen kept their expectant fans waiting to clinch the title after being held to a goal-less draw by gallant Gloucester City. With Chippenham winning at Atherstone, the game left the Yeltz still requiring a further point to be mathematically certain of being crowned as champions.

Ball control was difficult on a rock-hard surface and shots flew high over the bar all afternoon in a game dominated by the Yeltz with Gloucester hardly mustering a shot on target all afternoon. Alex Cowley turned and fired wide after four minutes and Andy Spencer hit the cross-bar four minutes later when Leroy May headed on a long throw-in from Jason Burnham. Spencer crashed the ball high again in the 33rd minute and just before half-time Cowley delivered dangerously from the right for visiting defender Neil Griffiths to nudge the ball past his own post for a corner.

Gloucester's best opportunity came in the 50th minute when young on-loan goalkeeper Clint Davies mis-kicked a clearance straight to Luke Prince but central defender Lee Collins made a great saving tackle in front of an empty net. Les Hines and Cowley fired further shots well over the bar before the Tigers' goalkeeper Matt Bath made a fine blocking save from a May header after 80 minutes with Andy Jones and Gary Smith ready to pounce. With growing frustration, Halesowen mounted a final frantic assault on the Gloucester goal but could not break the deadlock to collect the Western Division trophy.

NOT YET

Cinderford 0 Yeltz 0

The mighty Yeltz will have to wait a little longer to clinch the league title after only managing a 0-0 draw at Cinderford. It's a little disappointing but we still only need a couple of points to be mathematically sure, and it would be nice to get those at The Grove - hopefully against Gloucester next Saturday.

I really hope next Saturday will be a happy occasion, and let's extend a warm welcome to all the visiting Gloucester fans. If anyone's thinking of coming just to start trouble, please don't bother - we really don't want anything like that happening at all.

Chippenham have achieved a sufficient ground grading for the Premier Division, and look almost certain to finish second after winning 4-0 while both Solihull and Weston could both only draw.

Match Report from DJ

Cinderford Town: Fisher; Bale, Hopkins, Tomkins, Hall, Callinan, Truman, Ince, Hook, Addis, Harris. Subs: Weyman, Donovan, Pitcairn

Halesowen Town: Davies; Colwell, Burnham, R. Collins, L. Collins, Cowley, Bailey (G. Smith 66), Jones, May, Taylor (Brennan 83), Hines. Sub: Phillips

Referee: S. Humphrey (Swindon) Attendance: 363 Booked: Hall (81)

The Championship champagne remained on ice as Halesowen did everything but score and had to settle for a goal-less draw against a defiant Cinderford. Already promoted Halesowen were prevented from notching an elusive goal to tie up the title and now hope to confirm their Championship at home to Gloucester City next Saturday 13th April, (kick off 3pm).

The Yeltz were forced to make several changes with five first team players unavailable, but still completely dominated the game with Brendan Phillips electing to play an adventurous 4-3-3 formation and included son Kelvin on the substitute's bench. Young 19-year old Australian goalkeeper Clint Davies made his debut and enjoyed an easy afternoon as Cinderford hardly mustered a shot on target all afternoon.

Simon Truman saw a 4th minute free-kick drift across goal for Cinderford but as Halesowen went on the offensive Dennis Bailey nodded a Leroy May cross just wide after 6 minutes. Halesowen then forced three successive corners from Les Hines in the 13th minute in which May had a shot blocked off the line. May and Andy Jones bore down on goal from a sweet Mark Taylor pass in the 17th minute, but Jones shot weakly at goalkeeper Andy Fisher. Hines then hit just wide when May laid off a cross from Richard Colwell in the 23rd minute. In continued Halesowen pressure, Alex Cowley did well on the right but Jones lofted the ball high over the bar in the 28th minute. Just before half-time, Bailey headed a 44th minute Jason Burnham cross just over and then screwed a shot wide when put through by Hines.

Cindeford had beaten the Yeltz at the Grove earlier in the season but never looked able to complete an unlikely double, but they now join Chippenham as the only teams to take four points from the Yeltz over two games.

Halesowen took up residence in the Cinderford half after the break but still couldn't break the deadlock. Richard Colwell, searching for his first goal of the season, hit a 20-yard shot at Fisher after 47minutes and Ross Collins sliced a good chance well wide on 65 minutes after being set-up by Mark Taylor. Alex Cowley went on a surging 68th minute run but was finally crowded out near goal by the home defence. A dangerous 87th minute Hines free-kick rebounded to Gary Smith who screwed wide and, although May managed to reach the shot with his head, the chance fell just wide. In the final minute Andy Jones met a left wing cross from Hines and turned but saw his shot blocked into the side-netting. Jones then glanced a header inches wide from Colwell's cross in the final chance of the sunny but bracing Gloucestershire afternoon.

WE'RE UP!

Yeltz 4 Solihull 1

The once again mighty Yeltz clinched promotion on a fantastic night at The Grove by beating Solihull 4-1 with a stunning second-half performance.

We were lucky to be at 1-1 at half-time - we'd took an early lead through Andy Spencer but they had most of the play and fully deserved their equaliser. However after the break we were inspired and goals from Spencer again, Skidder and Leroy put the large (856) and vocal crowd into a party mood. As ever, DJ's match report summarises the details better than I can.

Congratulations to Brendan, all the players and other staff on taking us back up to the Premier Division at the first attempt. We've really turned things around after the nightmare of last season and let's hope we can build on this next year.

There's still the title to win, and we can clinch that by winning at Cinderford on Saturday as we only need three more points assuming Chippenham win their four remaining games.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins (Newall 45), Skidmore, Spencer (G. Smith 87), Jones, May (Bailey 74), R. Collins, Cowley

Solihull Borough: Murphy; Saunders, Hamilton, M. Smith (Hayde 76), Knight, Cooper, Hollis, C. Smith, Hall, Amos, J. Smith (Lovelock 64). Sub: Dutton

Referee: P. Keane (Bilston) Attendance: 856 Booked: Amos (12), Skidmore (47), Hayde (88), Jones (89) Sponsors' Man of the Match: Richard Colwell

Halesowen Town booked their promotion place back into the Premier division with an emphatic win over third-placed Solihull and now require just three points to claim the Championship title.

Solihull's Ian Cooper crossed in the first minute for Derek Hall to hit an overhead kick over the bar before the Yeltz took a 14th minute lead with Andy SPENCER beating Solihull goalkeeper Brendan Murphy who was slow off his line to a long ball. A strangely disjointed first-half performance saw Halesowen desperately missing the play-making skills of Les Hines and Mark Taylor with Solihull gradually gaining the upper hand as the half wore on. Jason Smith shot straight at Tim Clarke in the 17th minute and Clarke then dived to save from Cooper three minutes later. Without dead-ball experts Hines or Taylor, a handily placed free-kick on the edge of the box was blasted over the bar by Spencer on 23 minutes. A slip by Ross Collins let in Chris Smith to shoot just wide after 37 minutes but Solihull deservedly equalised when Jason Smith played the ball for Derek HALL to chest down and volley into the bottom corner after 42 minutes.

A much-needed reshuffle saw the introduction of John Newall but few could have predicted the second-half that unfolded with Halesowen transformed by the half-time team-talk to re-assert their league-leading authority with three goals in a thrusting 20-minute spell.

Man of the Match Richard Colwell worked hard to win two 53rd minute corners before the Yeltz restored their lead in the 56th minute with SPENCER hitting home his second goal from a 25-yard shot helped by a deflection off Cooper after a Jason Burnham corner was only half-cleared. Just three minutes later Spencer broke free on the left and passed across goal for Stuart SKIDMORE to crash home into the top right hand corner of the net from 15 yards. Newall missed a great chance in front of goal on the hour but with Halesowen on fire, a defence-splitting cross field pass from Andy Jones set up Leroy MAY to slot home his 18th goal of the season in the 71st minute and start Halesowen's promotion party-time. Gary Knight cleared an Andy Jones effort off the line in the 78th minute to prevent further goals but with Halesowen's fans in full voice, the relegation trauma on Easter Bank Holiday Monday exactly a year ago was long forgotten.

WE CAN GO UP ON MONDAY!

Bilston 1 Yeltz 2

THAT MAY BE ENOUGH

Yeltz 3 Evesham 0

A first half hat-trick from top scorer Leroy May too the mighty Yeltz very close to promotion with an easy 3-0 victory at home to Evesham. Equally as important was Solihull beating Weston 1-0, which now means we only need 5 more points to gain promotion . Hurrah!

Obviously we can now seal it by beating Bilston away on Saturday and then beating Solihull at The Grove on Monday . I think that would be a nice way to clinch it. I'm going to be at both games for a change so the site might not be updated as quickly as usual.

If you didn't catch Brendan, Nigel Pitt and Paul Floud on Radio WM earlier in the week, you can now download a recording of it. I've reduced the quality but it's still 1.5Mb - should take about 10/15 mins. to download on a normal modem. Thanks very much to Kieron for sorting this out.

P.S. I think we've established the idiot Weston fan on YeltzTalk was being deliberately provocative, so we can close that particular topic now.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, Newall, Skidmore, Spencer, Jones (G. Smith 41), May, Taylor, Hines. Subs: Cowley, R. Collins

Evesham United: Steadman; A. Smith, Parmenter (Maybury 58), Duff, Powell, Lutz, Mullen (Pountney 69), Webb, Pratt, Brown, Preedy. Sub: Davies

Referee: A. McIlravey (Redditch) Attendance: 503 Booked: Mullen (25)

Sponsors' Man of the Match: Neil Smith

Experienced campaigner Leroy May hit a first-half hat-trick to put championship chasing Halesowen within five points and mathematical touching distance of the promotion finishing line.

As early as the 2nd minute Evesham goalkeeper Darren Steadman made a point blank save from Andy Jones but the striker was ruled offside. In early exchanges a 5th minute cross from Mark Taylor then beat Evesham but no Yeltz forward was on hand to benefit and as the ball broke downfield Taylor raced back to clear for a corner at the other end. With Taylor in the thick of the action he touched a free-kick for Jason Burnham to hit a 20-yard shot that Steadman tipped over the bar for a 9th minute corner.

Evesham missed their best chance of the game in the 19th minute when Paul Webb lofted a quality ball behind the Yeltz defence to find Shaun Pratt in space but Tim Clarke pulled off a tremendous diving save. The visitors paid the price for that miss in the 25th minute when Halesowen were awarded a free-kick for a reckless challenge by Scott Mullen on John Newall. Taylor's free-kick was hooked over by Neil Smith and Leroy May was on hand with a vital touch to nod home from two yards out. Three members of the Press Box, watching from an unfortunate angle and seeing the defender being congratulated, all believed the goal had gone in directly from Neil Smith, but confirmation from the dressing-room and from other angles of the ground confirmed it was a May goal. (We'll let you off this time - ed)

Evesham continued to look lively up-front and found space in the Halesowen defence but were unable to capitalise and fell two goals behind in the 37th minute with Les Hines hitting an in-swinging corner which May swept into the roof of the net. May went on to complete his first-half hat-trick to put Halesowen three goals ahead a minute before the break. Andy Spencer worked his way behind the visiting defence and crossed for May to tap home with Evesham crying furiously for offside. Just on half-time Richard Colwell was on hand to clear off his goal-line from a James Brown effort.

Phil Preedy blasted just wide for the visitors in the 46th minute who realised it wasn't their night when Scott Mullen's 52nd minute strike was disallowed by referee McIlravey. Halesowen went on to create several more chances but had already done enough to win the game in a fairly flat second half. May headed just wide from a Gary Smith cross in the 56th minute and Andy Spencer headed into the arms of Steadman after 68 minutes. For Evesham Pratt hit a 63rd minute drive from 20 yards over the bar but the visitors had Steadman to thank as he managed to grab the ball when Spencer hit towards goal in the 76th minute after the ball broke from Gary Smith's challenge on the Evesham 'keeper. Steadman went on to make a great save with his feet from Gary Smith and his defence kept the league leaders out in an injury time goalmouth scramble.