WIN ONE, LOSE ONE

Friendlies Harrow 5 Yeltz 5; Yeltz 1 Kiddy 2

ANOTHER FOUR

Friendly Halesowen Harriers 0 Yeltz 4

Another nice victory against lowly opposition - this time a 4-0 victory at the other end of the Stourbridge Road against the Harriers. Goals scorers were O'Goal, Andy Jones (2) and Andy Spencer.

Saturday brings a trip to Harrow Borough , and it's been confirmed that the game is definitely on . As usual, for all the latest keep a check on YeltzTalk or on the Yeltz Mailing List .

DEFINITELY TO BE

Friendly Stratford 1 Yeltz 4

Another experimental team, but things do seem to be coming together a bit. Goals from Giddens, Taylor, Donaldson and Otto led to a convicing 4-1 victory - and it's nice to see us knocking a few in. More details, as ever, in the match reports .

You might have missed - and be vaguely interested in some photos from the Albion game , like the squad photo here provided by Dave Johnson (Thanks!)

This week's friendlies include a trip down to the Tanhouse Stadium to meet the Harriers on Tuesday, then down South to play Ryman League Harrow Borough on Saturday. Exotic!

UNLUCKY

Friendly Yeltz 0 WBA 1

In a promising performance against a pretty strong Albion side, the mighty Yeltz were a little unlucky to lose 1-0 to the First Division side. Much more detail as usual in DJ's match report .

The friendlies are coming thick and fast now, with a trip to Stratford on Saturday, followed by a shorter one on Tuesday to the Harriers. Just 3 weeks to go now until the real thing.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Piearcy; Skidmore, Burnham, Smith, Barnett, L. Collins, Hall, Spencer, Giddings, Jones, Hines. Subs: Knight, Bailey, Colwell, Shaw, Otto, Crawford, Carter, Donaldson, Garvey.

West Bromwich Albion: Jensen; Lytlle, Quinn, Jordao, Butler, J. Chambers, A. Chambers, Oliver, Taylor, Dobie, Adams. Subs: Turner, Adamson, M. Collins, Scott, Briggs.

Referee: R Smith (Hasbury) Attendance: 700 (estimated)

Halesowen made the early running against a stronger than expected Baggies line-up and Neil Smith headed a Les Hines cross into the arms of Brian Jensen in the 11th minute. Jensen then raced off his line to beat Kerry Giddings to the ball after a clever flick from youngster Andy Spencer.

The Yeltz missed a glorious chance to take the lead on the hour when skipper Lee Collins touched the ball to Andy Jones but he blasted his chance high from close range.

Albion were forced to work hard but won the game in the 65th minute as Jordao calmly slotted a left wing pass beyond Jason Piearcy with Halesowen exposed for the first time.

The Yeltz pushed hard for a late goal and substitute Ricky Otto hit the bar from Andy Spencer's looping cross in the 70th minute. Lee Knight then brought a fingertip save out of substitute goalkeeper Chris Adamson and Adamson was kept busy with two curling efforts on target from Otto and a drive from Alfie Carter.

JUST A FRIENDLY

Friendly Yeltz 0 Stourbridge 0

Nothing to get too excited about, except perhaps the amazing size of our squad at the moment. A 0-0 draw against local sort-of rivals Stourbridge Town and a chance to assess lots of potential new players. If your interested, DJ has added a full match report .

Next up are the Albion, kickoff Thursday at 7.30pm down The Grove.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Piearcy; Skidmore (Colwell 45), Burnham (Carter 45), Taylor (Bradley 45), Knight (Shaw 65), L. Collins (Barnett 45), Hall (Jones 45), Crawford (Gallagher 75), Spencer, Bailey (Donaldson 65), Hines (Otto 45). Sub: Garvey.

Stourbridge: Arnold; Black, A. Dodd, Hamilton, R. Dodd, I. Jones, Gray, M. Jones, Baker, Watson, Pulisciano. Subs: Casson, Briscoe, Dale, Blake.

Referee: M. Weaver (Warley)

Halesowen named a strong starting line-up, captained by Lee Collins. The only absentees were Kerry Giddings and Neil Smith (holidays), Tim Clarke (Champions League duty) and Ross Collins (thigh strain). The Yeltz also used the opportunity to unveil the new all-blue home kit, ironically sponsored by Stourbridge chairman Mark Serrell's company, Plumbing World.

However, Halesowen struggled to break the stalemate with Stourbridge and the Midland Alliance visitors deservedly earned a draw. The Halesowen strikeforce could not take advantage of Les Hines and Matty Hall whipping over early crosses from each wing and in the 15th minute it was Stourbridge's Nathan Pulisciano who met a long cross from Mark Jones, but his header curled just wide of the mark. Hall produced several good runs from the right wing for Halesowen during the game, but his 25th minute effort ended with a weak shot.

Stourbridge's best chance fell in the 57th minute when ex-Conference striker Brian Gray made an incisive run but his shot was gathered at the foot of the post by goalkeeper Jason Piearcy. A misunderstanding between Piearcy and Lee Knight then almost gave Stourbridge a breakthrough in the 61st minute. Ten minutes later the Glassboys substitute Leon Blake turned well but shot just wide.

With a much changed Halesowen line-up in the final quarter, Andy Jones drilled wide and Jim Arnold in the Stourbridge goal saved a lob from Andy Spencer before Ricky Otto went close to converting a late right-wing cross.

Halesowen now go forward to meet West Bromwich Albion at The Grove on Thursday 26th July, kick-off at 7.30pm.

WE'RE OFF

Friendly Yeltz 2 Causeway 1

First friendly out of the way - a 2-1 win against tenants Causeway United with a team of young triallists, the goals being scored by Alfie Carter an ex-Walsall striker due to train up at Rochdale this week.

The week's other main story is the bizarre news of a Halesowen player starring in the Champions League. Tim Clarke has been loaned out to Barry Town for their European campaign, and played a major part in their 2-0 first leg win. If they get through, I believe they play Porto in the next round.

Next game is on Saturday with a friendly against Stourbridge Town that I'm sure they'll make a lot more of than we will.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Garvey; Colwell, Gavillet, R. Gallagher, Shaw, Bradley, Asher-Powell, Martin, Thomas, Parnell, Carter Subs: Beckford, Slater, Weston

Causeway United: Vaughan; N. Skidmore, Jones, Hall, Saunders, R. Shilvock, Baker, Young, Dixon, Richards, Kirkham Subs: Parker, Eveson, Siddaway, M. Gallagher, M. Shilvock, Woods

Referee: B. Priest (Hayley Green)

Halesowen manager Brendan Phillips used the first outing of the season to run the rule over a number of on-trial youngsters. And it was ex-Walsall striker Alfie Carter who impressed most, notching two goals in a narrow victory over ground-share outfit Causeway United of the Banks's Premier.

Carter struck the post from a free-kick in the 13th minute before giving Halesowen an 18th minute lead by calmly slotting home a cross from Ryan Asher-Powell in a move started by Clinton Thomas.

Causeway produced a sweeping attack on the half-hour when Ian Kirkham broke down the left but Simon Dixon side-footed his cross just wide. Matt Richards then headed Anthony Baker's cross into the arms of Halesowen goalkeeper Mark Garvey's just on half-time.

Causeway's line-up had a familiar feel from last season, although substitute strike pair Paul Parker and Adan Eveson, both signed from Lye Town, caught the eye in the second period. Eveson equalised in the 67th minute with clever chip over goalkeeper Garvey. But the Yeltz youngsters restored their lead three minutes later when Thomas put Carter clear on goal to finish superbly to cries of "Get Carter!" from the terraces. A late lob from Parker fell just wide and Carter almost completed a hat-trick in the last minute but he hit straight at substitute goalkeeper Siddaway from close range.

FIXTURE LIST IS OUT

The fixture list for the league has now been published, and thanks to Doc's sterling efffort of sending them to the mailing list I've been able to add them to the site .

A few highlights I'll pick out: we start at home to Gresley on August 18; Boxing Day is away to Redditch and the last away game is at Mangotsfield - the rest you can see for yourself on the full list

The Causeway game on Saturday is definitely ON . The ground staff as ever have been putting in the work to ensure everything will be ready for Saturday.Very exciting in a sad sort of way :-)

NOT LONG NOW

Another brief update as there's been a few more things happening recently. If you want more details during the summer, keep an eye on YeltzTalk or subscribe to the Yeltz Mailing List

The club's new sponsors will be Plumbing World - owned by Stourbridge Town Chairman Mark Serrell. After Ron Moseley had won the raffle, he generously offered to auction it off, and Mr. Serrell bid a further £2000 to win. All in all, a brilliant scheme by the club which I believe has raised more money that was received from Hamer Ford last year.

The Jolly Boys syndicate invested the remains of their funds into sponsoring Stuart Skidmore's kit for the season, and I guess we're taking it in turns to wash it.

Other snippets of news (courtesy of DJ Yeltz):

• Lee Knight , a central defender, arrives from Redditch United and a fit 35 year old Mark Taylor , formerly with Brendan Phillips at Nuneaton Borough has also signed up.
• Dennis Bailey, Michael Crawford and Clinton Thomas are all back training with the club.
• Lord Andy Bradleycb has been invited back to train with the squad from Saturday