3 POINTS CLOSER

Yeltz 6 RC Warwick 0

Just 11 points needed for promotion now afteran emphatic 6-0 victory over struggling Racing Club Warwick at The Grove. A hat-trick from Andy Jones, two from Leroy an a late one from new bloke Alex Cowley maintained our long unbeaten run in the league. Chippenham's game was called off butSolihull and Weston both won, but if we keep winning it doesn't matter what anyone else does.

There's been some 'interesting' feedback after the Weston game, including a very inflammatory message on YeltzTalk from someone who calls themselves a Weston fan. I'm not going to let the forum turn offensive - that's why I moderate it to get rid of the usual rubbish - but for once I thought everyone should see what was said. I wasn't at the game but I'm sure those of you who were there would like to comment. Abusive messages in return won't get on though.

Anyhoo, Evesham visit The Grove on Tuesday, and on the same night Solihull play Weston in what is obviously a crucial game for both teams.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell (R. Collins 81), Burnham (Cowley 77), N. Smith, Newall, Skidmore, Spencer, Jones, May (G. Smith 87), Taylor, Hines

Racing Club Warwick: Stephenson; McWilliam, Jackson, Ward, Marlow, Hodson, Haywood (Wiseman 58), Yates, Eden, Kinder (Green 66), Massingham (Gozzard 55)

Referee: C. Dawes (Willenhall) Attendance: 527 Booked: Massingham (15)

Sponsors' Man of the Match (Sylvia Heal JP, MP): Andy Jones

Andy Jones hit a hat-trick amongst another flood of goals at The Grove to leave Warwick without a league victory for 18 games since October.

With just five weeks of the season remaining, Halesowen remain well on course for a swift return back into the Premier Division and it took just four minutes for the league leaders to gain the upper hand. Neil Smith back-headed a Les Hines right wing cross for Leroy MAY to turn home from close range. May then skied the ball over the bar in the 8th minute and Jones headed weakly into the arms of goalkeeper Neil Stephenson as the Yeltz sought to improve their goal difference. For Warwick, David Jackson shot high over the bar and Mark Hodson rose to head just wide in the 21st minute. However, the Yeltz remained well on top and Warwick had an escape when Jones just failed to react to a Richard Colwell cross that bounced off Stephenson in the 33rd minute. A lightning break involving Andy Spencer, Mark Taylor and Hines resulted in Stuart Skidmore seeing his shot blocked in the 37th minute and a minute before the break Darren Massingham cleared a lob from Andy Spencer off the line to keep the half-time score respectable.

Straight from the restart May pounced on a slip by Hodson and set up JONES to beat the veteran Warwick goalkeeper Stephenson from 10 yards out. Stephenson kept rampant Halesowen at bay by saving May's diving header in the 53rd minute with his legs before blocking another May shot after 62 minutes as Spencer waltzed through the Warwick rearguard. However, Stephenson was beaten again in the 64th minute when JONES turned in the box to plant a 15-yard shot into the net.

With Halesowen making it look so easy MAY nodded home the fourth goal in the 72nd minute after Stephenson failed to grab Jason Burnham's cross. JONES completed a fine hat-trick five minutes later by side-footing into the net from 10 yards after good right-wing work by the impressive Andy Spencer. Following three late Halesowen substitutions the demoralised Warwick defence was caught out again in stoppage time with Alex COWLEY heading home a rebound from a Ross Collins shot.

WHAT A COMEBACK!

Yeltz 2 Weston 2

The mighty Yeltz gained a very important point against promotion rivals Weston, coming back from 2-0 down with two very late goals.

I don't know what it was like at the game, but sitting at home waiting for SMS updates was unbearable. Ex-Yeltz star Frankie Bennett scored for Weston early on and crashed another against the bar before the break, and when he scored a second after the break it was looking like Chippenham all over again. However, this time we did manage to come back and goals from Andy Spencer and Neil Smith kept Weston well behind us in the promotion race.

Chippenham beat Solihull 3-1 on Wednesday night, which means we still need just 14 points from the remaining 8 games to clinch promotion now, and let's hope we can get 3 of those against struggling Racing Club Warwick at The Grove on Saturday.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins, Skidmore, Spencer, Dennis Bailey (A. Jones 63), May, Taylor, Hines. Subs: Brennan, Newall

Weston-Super-Mare: Bryant; Bennett, Tezel, Bird, Kilgour, Souter, Harris, Danny Bailey, Bevan (Mehew 63), Slater, Cox. Subs: Pritchard, White

Referee: R. Green (Berkeley, Gloucs.) Attendance: 469 Sponsors' Man of the Match (The Jolly Boys -HTFC Supporters): Neil Smith

Frankie Bennett returned to hit a brace for Weston and haunt his former club in a night of intense passion all around The Grove. However a dramatic late twist saw Halesowen earn a vital point by scoring two goals deep in time added on by the excellent referee Russell Green for the Seagulls time-wasting tactics. Prophetically, the match sponsors declared Neil Smith to be the man of the match minutes BEFORE he became the hero of the evening.

It is reported that Weston manager had gone on local radio to describe both Chippenham and Halesowen as poor teams and with Weston attempting to make up ground there was clearly going to be much at stake. Andy Spencer was muscled off the ball in the penalty area in the 6th minute and at the other end Weston's ex-league star Stuart Slater had a deflected shot gathered by Tim Clarke. Halesowen continued to force the early pace but Weston rode their luck in their must-win game with a 15th minute header from Leroy May rebounding off the post into the arms of Mark Bryant on the goal-line from a Les Hines cross. Bryant then pounced on the ball after initially dropping a Hines free-kick but Frankie Bennett then showed his intentions at the other end by hitting the side-netting from a Weston corner after 18 minutes. Bryant came to Weston's rescue again to keep the league leaders at bay in the 22nd minute by producing a fingertip save from a Lee Collins header from a Mark Taylor cross.

Weston took the lead in the 26th minute when Neil Smith's slip let in BENNETT to hammer into the roof of the net and it appeared to be Weston's night when Danny Bailey cleared another Collins header off the line a minute later. Hines curled a 35th minute free-kick wide but Bennett continued to trouble as he went on a run from midfield and thundered a 20-yard shot off the Halesowen crossbar just before the break.

Halesowen forced three corners at the start of the second half with both Spencer and Stuart Skidmore seeing shots blocked. Despite the Halesowen pressure Weston's defence remained solid and they broke in the 73rd minute with substitute David Mehew putting BENNETT clear to crash home his second goal from 12 yards out in their first real attack of the half.

The Yeltz have failed to beat any of the other three contenders for promotion and all seemed lost when May hit straight at goalkeeper Bryant a minute later. However, a 92nd minute cross from Mark Taylor was flicked on by May to find SPENCER in space to volley home from 8 yards. A last-ditch attempt saw Hines float a 94th minute free-kick into the centre of the box and a back-header from man-of-the match Neil SMITH on the penalty spot went through the arms of the despairing Bryant to level the score for jubilant Halesowen against their distraught visitors. There was hardly time for Weston to kick-off again as the buzz continued for several minutes around the ground from an exhilarating finish.

ANOTHER STEP CLOSER

Yeltz 5 Swindon Supermarine 1

The mighty Yeltz continued their march back to the Premier Division with an easy 5-1 victory over bottom placed Swindon Supermarine. Two first half goals from Les Hines and one from Andy Spencer set us on our way, and further goals from Leroy and a JB penalty kept us on top of the league despite letting in a late Swindon penalty.

In the other crucial promotion games, Chippenham drew 1-1 with Weston and Solihull won 4-0 against Gloucester. All this means is we now need a maximum of just 17 points to clinch promotion, and 19 points to become champions. I've added a handy reminder on the right of the home page to add to the excitement.

Tuesday brings Weston to The Grove in a game which could just about clinch promotion for us. We still haven't won against any of the top teams this season so let's hope that changes and we can enjoy a comfortable end of season run in. Come on!

As you can hopefully see I've tarted the site up a little - I hope you like it.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins, Skidmore (Cowley 67), Spencer, Bailey (A. Jones 76), May, Taylor (Brennan 67), Hines

Swindon Supermarine: Bull; Bellinger, Bennett, Beaverstock, Roper, Davis, T. Jones, Dunton, Smart, Giles, Hulbert. Subs: Hussain, Richards, James

Referee: S. Flannagan (Wednesfield) Attendance: 602 Booked: Dunton (48)

Brendan Philips asked his players to remain totally focussed and received the perfect response in a game some observers felt could be a potential "banana skin". However, bottom side Swindon were sunk by a five-star performance with five goals in a 35-minute spell.

Andy Spencer scuffed a 13th minute shot when Leroy May flicked on, but in a quiet opening Halesowen showed patience as relegation threatened Swindon packed their defence. The breakthrough came after 21 minutes when May was fouled on the edge of the penalty area and Les Hines fired a low free-kick directly past the wall and beyond goalkeeper Liam Bull. As Swindon's defence panicked Stuart Skidmore went close from a May flick on in the 23rd minute and the second goal soon followed three minutes later. In a crowded goalmouth Dennis Bailey saw his header cleared off the line from a corner but as Lee Collins turned the ball back in, Andy Spencer headed into the unprotected net from close range. On the half-hour Bailey had a shot turned away for a corner and then hit the side-netting from Mark Taylor's corner kick with the ball resembling a pin-ball in the Swindon area. Spencer crossed just high for May in the 36th minute and from the follow-up Bailey's shot was yet again blocked. Swindon earned their first corner of the game in the 44th minute but it was the Yeltz who went 3-0 ahead on the stroke of half-time when Swindon failed to clear a Skidmore cross and Hines had the easy task of heading into the unguarded net.

The relentless pressure continued at the start of the second half with Mark Taylor skimming the bar in the 46th minute before the fourth goal arrived after 53 minutes. It was Supermarine's inability to defend against set pieces that was their undoing again when they failed to clear another corner from Hines and May was on hand to nod home from a couple of yards out. With Swindon all at sea, goalkeeper Bull pulled down Spencer as he was rounding him and about to shoot and Jason Burnham banged home the resulting penalty to increase the lead on 58 minutes. Tim Clarke was at last in action after 80 minutes when he dived to save Dominic Dunton's 25 yard shot but Burnham then almost added to his tally but Bull just gathered the ball as he was being rounded.

Swindon finally gained a goal when referee Flannagan awarded a penalty against Lee Collins who was retrieving a ball from Adam Giles that was trapped between his legs. Tom Jones showed it's not unusual for Swindon to score by firing home the penalty and sent Swindon back to the green, green grass of home with some consolation. In the final minute Swindon survived another goalmouth scramble from a corner with May cracking the crossbar.

JUST THE LEAGUE TO WIN

WSC Moor Green 3 Yeltz 0

It's a shame to go out of any cup, but we've got much more important things to concetrate on this year. A bit of a stuffing really by Moor Green which I suppose gives them a little revenge for our FA Cup victory earlier in the season.

We've now got 10 league games left and 7 of those are at The Grove, so let's hope we can storm to the title with a string of victories. First up are bottom placed Swindon Supermarine on Saturday who have been slightly improved of late, but let's hope for another 3 points.

Weston drew 2-2 last night against Evesham, which was nice. It's Chippenham v Weston on Saturday, so obviously at least one of them must drop some points too.

Match Report from DJ

Moor Green: Rachel; Robinson, Brighton, Gillard, Softley, Stanley, Myers (Scheppel), Lamey (Petty), Crisp (Gayle), Martin, Peer. Subs: Carter, Antiss

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins, Newell, Spencer, G. Smith, Jones, R. Collins, Hines. Sub: Skidmore, Taylor, Phillips, Bailey, Garvey

Referee: A. McIlravey (Redditch) Attendance: 307

A Les Hines freekick dropped awkwardly into the Moor Green area after 8 minutes and just escaped the head of Neil Smith before bouncing out into safety for a goalkick. The Moors took a 10th minute lead after an uncharacteristic mistake by Lee Collins on the right let in Mark Crisp to cross for leading goalscorer Nathan Lamey to prod in his 27th goal of the season. Gary Smith almost equalised in the 13th minute on the break but after cleverly turning the last defender shot straight at the legs of goalkeeper Adam Rachel. Halesowen eventually tidied up some defensive confusion in the 35th minute after a slip by Lee Collins and a bad clearance kick from Tim Clarke.

Seven minutes into the second half Andy Spencer headed a Hines cross just wide but Halesowen went 2-0 down in the 74th minute when a deep cross from Jae Martin was chested down and despatched from 12 yards past Clarke by the dangerous Lamey. Jason Burnham's 25 yard effort from a freekick was held by Rachel after 80 minutes and Clarke did well to pluck out a Martin shot two minutes later. Four minutes from time a left wing cross from Martin was volleyed home by substitute Danny Scheppel for Moor Green's third goal.

News of a 2-2 home draw for Weston-SM brought some relief to the end of the evening - despite the earlier report from the Yeltz statistician who watched the game believing Weston had won 2-1! With Halesowen bowing out of their involvement in Cup football for the 2001-02 season, it's now time to concentrate fully on the final ten league games.

BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Bedworth 0 Yeltz 3

After the bizarre experience of actually dropping some points last week, the mighty Yeltz earned another three points with a reasonably straightforward victory at mid-table Bedworth. Two goals from Leroy (although the first one was probably Les's) split by one from Andy Jones kept us on top of the table and well on course for both promotion and the title. All the other contenders also won, but we're another game closer to getting back up.

There's been a bit of activity in the transfer market over the last few days. We've signed Alex Cowley , a winger, on loan from Stourport until the end of the season, and Karl Brennan who's previously played for Hinckley, Nuneaton and Leicester City. This also means Matty Hall has been loaned out to Redditch.

There's a new vote on the site you might find interesting - "Is the current team better than the Midland Division winning team of 89/90?"

Tuesday takes us to Moor Green in the Worcester Senior semi-final replay, and then on Saturday the exotically named Swindon Supermarine visit The Grove on the back of a 6-2 victory over Shepshed!

Match Report from DJ

Bedworth Utd: Hateley; Oddy (Aston 76), Lloyd (Parsons 62), Sanders, Cooper, Crowley, McGregor, Goodman, Harrison, Partridge, Whitmore. Sub: Wilson

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, Smith, L. Collins, Skidmore, Spencer (Cowley 69), Bailey (Jones 62), May, Taylor, Hines. Sub: R. Collins

Referee: G. Stretton (Enderby) Attendance: 303

Halesowen enter the home straight with the luxury of seven home games from the remaining ten matches. But there is no complacency in the Halesowen camp as the league leaders recorded another convincing away victory in difficult windy conditions.

The Yeltz almost went ahead within 30 seconds of the opening when Leroy May put Andy Spencer clear on goal but goalkeeper Gary Hateley made a last ditch clearance. Jason Burnham saw his 13th minute shot fly just over and Dennis Bailey then sent in a long range effort five minutes later. The Yeltz took a 25th minute lead when a right-wing corner from Les Hines curled into the net with the help of Leroy May after Hateley failed to gather the ball in the swirling wind. The goal has been credited to May with Leroy claiming a strike off his shoulder although it appeared the referee's assistant had already signalled a goal for Hines. In the 34th minute a Scott McGregor cross was flicked on for Bedworth but centre-forward Ross Harrison headed straight into the arms of Tim Clarke, who enjoyed a quiet afternoon's work.

The second period started in quiet fashion although Spencer screwed wide after 49 minutes. Halesowen then went 2-0 ahead when a 63rd minute free-kick from Hines was met at the far post by Lee Collins and Andy Jones flashed home a header just one minute after his introduction as substitute.

Bedworth should have pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute but Chris Partridge scooped the ball high in front of goal and two minutes from time Adam Cooper blasted high when well placed. On full-time May added Halesowen's third by powerfully heading home from close range following a flick-on from a Hines corner.

A GOOD POINT

Solihull 1 Yeltz 1

Although we've got used to winning our league games recently, the mighty Yeltz gained a very useful point away to one of their few promotion rivals. A first half goal from Leroy took us into the lead, but Solihull came back in the second half to get a draw in a match they really had to win.

Chippenham had an easy victory against Warwick and Weston didn't have a game, so we're still top of the table and in an excellent position. Look out for the results of Weston at Cinderford and Solihull against Swindon on Tuesday.

Our next game is on Saturday when we visit glamorous Bedworth in a game in which I'd hope we can get back to winning ways.

Match Report from DJ

Solihull Borough: Murphy; Pereira, Cooper, M. Smith, Knight, Dutton, Hollis, C. Smith, D. Hall, Amos, Lovelock (J. Smith 80). Subs: Arshad, Pippard

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins, Skidmore, Spencer (Jones 75), Bailey, May, Taylor, Hines (Hall 45). Sub: Newall

Referee: D. Whitestone (Northampton) Attendance: 462 Booked: May (23), Cooper (60), Amos (84)

Although Halesowen's impressive run of away wins finally ended, the point was important to prevent one of the possible promotion challengers from making any headway on Halesowen's top spot.

In a slow Yeltz opening on a heavily sanded pitch, Mark Taylor was bundled over in the box after 9 minutes but referee Whitestone waved play on and Lee Collins then nodded a 16th minute free-kick from Les Hines just wide. Solihull's hot-shot striker Derek Hall turned in the penalty area a minute later but could only shoot weakly at Tim Clarke. After the cautious start, it was Solihull's Derek Hall who went close by blasting into the side-netting on 35 minutes from the left edge of the box.

Halesowen enjoyed a fine spell of play in the ten minutes before half-time and should have taken the lead when Leroy May picked up a rebound and fed Mark Taylor who in turn set up Les Hines but he blasted wide from a good position. The lead finally arrived in the 39th minute when Denis Bailey forced a right wing corner. The corner kick fell to May two yards out with his back to goal and he cheekily back-heeled the ball into the net off the legs of Solihull's Craig Dutton. Jason Burnham's then saw a low shot saved by Brendan Murphy and at the other end Tim Clarke saved well from Andy Lovelock.

Solihull deservedly equalised in the 63rd minute when a flowing move ended with Manual Pereira squaring for Chris Smith to fire into the bottom corner from 20 yards out with Clarke only able to watch. The league leaders survived a scare six minutes later when a dangerous right-wing cross found two forwards free in the box but Clarke made a fingertip save from Derek Hall's weak effort and the excellent Richard Colwell completed the clearance off the goal-line. Having lost Les Hines and Andy Spencer during the game through injury, the Yeltz appeared slightly heavy-legged as they came under a period of Solihull pressure.

However, in and end-to-end finish of open play, substitute Matty Hall couldn't convert May's flick-on past Murphy, Andy Jones fired high when well placed in the 80th minute and a Lee Collins header fell just wide. For Solihull, Chris Smith shot high from the edge of the area after 85 minutes and Clarke produced a fine reflex save from a fierce 20-yard shot by Simon Hollis with two minutes remaining.

A last minute corner for the Yeltz caused confusion for the Boro' defence but Lee Collins could only shoot into the arms of Murphy.

STILL IN IT

WSC Yeltz 1 Moor Green 1

The mighty Yeltz are still in the all important Worcester Senior Cup after a 1-1 draw against Moor Green at The Grove. An excellent strike from Andy Jones was cancelled out by a second half equaliser in a match played in difficult conditions. Replay details as soon as I hear.

Elsewhere, Chippenham lost at home to Gresley , Solihull stuffed Bilston 6-0 and Weston's game was called off. This has consolidated our lead at the top of the table and gives both Solihull and Weston a chance of catching Chips and Ham if they win their games in hand.

There's a few photos been sent in recently - thanks to DJ and Peter Blanchflower - that you might find of interest: action shots of the Evesham game and Brendan winning Manager of the Month .

Saturday takes us to Solihull in what's potentially our hardest game left. A victory for us would make it very difficult for Solihull to catch us, so it's an important game. Come on!

IT'S ENOUGH

Yeltz 1 Cirencester 0

It was closer than might have been expected, but all that matters is that it's yet another win and another step closer to promotion. A first half goal from the excellent Andy Spencer has taken us 15 points clear of 3rd place Weston - although they have 2 games in hand - and 6 points clear of Chippenham in second place.

There's been discussions about setting up an Official Supporters Club recently. Read Kev Crook's letter for more information on a subject which has already led to some interesting debates.

The strange way the fixture list works out this year means we host Moor Green in the Worcester Senior Cup semi-final on Saturday in an interesting distraction from important matters.

ANOTHER STEP FORWARD

Evesham 0 Yeltz 3

It just gets better and better. A comfortable 3-0 victory against Evesham coupled with both Weston and Solihull dropping points means we're even further ahead in the promotion race .

An early goal from Neil Smith settled everyone's nerves, and then another before half-time from Leroy just about clinched it the way our defence is playing. A third from Andy Spencer finished off an easy victory against one of the better teams in the league.

There's been discussions about setting up an Official Supporters Club recently. Read Kev Crook's letter for more information on a subject which has already led to some interesting debates.

Tuesday brings Cirencester to The Grove for the first home league game for ages, and then we host Moor Green in the Worcester Senior Cup semi-final on Saturday.

PHEW!

Clevedon 0 Yeltz 2

The mighty Yeltz took another large step to regaining our place in the Premier League with a late victory at claggy Clevedon. With both Chippenham and Solihull drawing, it was an excellent day for many reasons.

It was touch and go whether the game was going to be on, and the pitch was pretty awful; very muddy and wet in patches. As has been the case in most matches this year, we dominated the game but it was very difficult to play and their keeper made a couple of excellent saves in the second half, especially one from a first-time Leroy volley.

Finally in the 89th minute we got a penalty after Andy Spencer must have been pushed - although no one I spoke to could say for certain - when left with a free header right in front of goal. Jason scared us all by slamming it in off the bar, and then we finished the game off in style when Dennis Bailey was put through and he coolly slotted it away. Hurrah!

Our next game is at Evesham on Saturday which may be a little tricky but let's hope for another 3 points.

Match Report from DJ

Clevedon Town: Matthews; Simeon Allison, Lester, Vinnicombe, Jefferies (Thorne 39), Price, Zabek, Mills, Bright (Morrisey 64), Sam Allison, Palmer. Sub: Dorrian.

Halesowen Town: Clarke; Colwell, Burnham, N. Smith, L. Collins, Skidmore, Spencer, Bailey, May (Jones 83), Taylor, Hines. Subs: Newell, Ross.

Referee: T. Curtis (Bath) Attendance: 361 Booked: None

Dreadful weather conditions seem to be a hallmark of recent games at Clevedon and this proved no exception. Both sides were clogged-up with mud for most of the afternoon, so it took two late injury-time goals to give the Yeltz all three points at much-changed Clevedon.

With the mud ankle-deep in patches, it was questionable whether the game should have taken place at all, but Halesowen proved once again that when necessary they can out-battle the opposition as well as play attractive football. Goal chances were inevitably scarce with the ball unable to roll freely in the quagmire conditions - made even worse by a gusty wind.

In the farcical conditions Richard Colwell planted in a 9th minute cross that was headed away and the resulting corner from Les Hines was cleared. Dave Bright hit a weak Tim Clarke clearance wide of the mark for the home side two minutes later. Dennis Bailey then clipped just wide in the 21st minute and Halesowen went close as Leroy May's shot was turned over the bar by goalkeeper Jason Matthews in the 24th minute. Hines struck just over after 33 minutes and five minutes before the break Clevedon's Simeon Allison hit the ball out of the penalty area mud over the bar.

Halesowen continued to be on top in the second-half, although Bright hit wide for Clevedon when Clarke was caught off his line after 55 minutes. Two minutes later Andy Spencer's persistence almost led to a goal but the ball deflected cruelly wide of the mark. Goalkeeper Matthews then denied the Yeltz twice on the hour by turning away a May volley and then producing a fine save to keep out Andy Spencer's header from the corner. Stuart Skidmore saw his 76th minute shot from the edge of the box collected by Matthews.

With the game heading for a goal-less draw, the league leaders were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute when Bailey crossed from the left and goalkeeper Matthews pushed Spencer who was lurking menacingly at the far post. Jason BURNHAM gladly crashed home his 7th penalty of the season off the underside of the bar for a vital lead. Two minutes into stoppage time BAILEY then latched onto a long ball and escaped his marker before slotting home Halesowen's second.