PROGRESS

FAT 2Q Yeltz 2 Aylesbury 0

The mighty Yeltz progressed to the next round of the Trophy in what sounds like a well-deserved victory over league rivals Aylesbury. Goals from Nathan and Fozzy put us into Monday's draw for the next round, which will take place surprisingly quickly in a couple of weeks time. The Conference North and South teams come in at this round, so we can probably expect a reasonably tough draw, so let's hope for a home game (or a nice trip away to somewhere we haven't been before).

On Saturday we're back in league action when we make the tricky away trip to 3rd placed Bedford. We got stuffed there last year although beat them in the return at The Grove, so I think any points we can pick up there will be good. As ever, I'm hoping for the best!

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Cooper, Harkness, Preston, Pope, Steane (N. Smith 70), Cowley (Skidmore 80), Lamey (C. Smith 83), Forinton, Amos, Forsdick. Unused Subs: Pierpoint, Johnson

Aylesbury United: Rashid; Williams, Mead, Lazarus (Joe 52), Hayward, Gould, McCafferty (Powles 76), Bewers, Jaggard, Ngoyi (De Souza 63), Edgeworth. Unused Subs: None

Referee: L. Tavinder (Cheddleton, Staffs.) Attendance: 374 Booked: Preston (45), Harkness (80), Joe (90). Sponsors' Man of the Match: Alex Cowley

Halesowen booked their place in the next round with a comfortable victory over out-of-form Aylesbury.

The Yeltz made a positive start but missed a string of good early chances to make the game safe. Nathan Lamey tangled with goalkeeper Jack Rashid in the 2nd minute but Simon Forsdick waited to long and wasted the rebound with Alex Cowley's shot eventually blocked for a corner. Ben Steane flashed a cross-shot across goal three minutes later but Forsdick turned the ball wide from close range. Howard Forinton then missed a gilt-edged chance with a free header inside the Aylesbury six-yard box from Cowley's pinpoint 12th minute cross.

Bottom of current-form Aylesbury weathered the early storm and showed their hand when Gregory Ngoyi screwed a 16th minute shot wide from 20 yards out. Paul Edgeworth then headed a good opportunity over the bar from a Neil Lazarus cross five minutes later.

Forsdick missed his third good opportunity of the first period in the 24th minute when he headed another measured cross from Cowley over the bar.

Aylesbury almost sneaked a 26th minute goal when a poor back-header from Jon Harkness let in Gavin Jaggard but Nicki Preston spared the blushes by racing back to clear off the line with goalkeeper Dean Coleman beaten. At the other end Rashid collected Lamey's 36th minute cross at the second attempt with Halesowen just failing to gel with the final ball up front after dominating the first half.

Man-of-the-match Cowley continued to pose a constant threat at the start of the second half and hit just wide in the 46th minute after a neat interchange with Lamey. Steve Pope then hit high over the Old Hawne Lane stand from Cowley's 51st minute corner and with the Yeltz making heavy weather of finding the net from all their pressure, Forinton's 63rd minute header was easily collected by Rashid.

But Halesowen finally took a well-deserved 64th minute lead when leading scorer LAMEY picked up a clever flick from Forinton and struck a sweet 15-yard drive against the post before calmly despatching the rebound past bemused Rashid. A 67th minute free-kick from on-loan Harkness fell just wide and a 69th minute chip from Steane was then collected by Rashid as the Yeltz sought to secure more goals.

FORSDICK finally wrapped up the tie in the 82nd minute when he took on and beat the final defender Robert Gould down the left before hitting home a fierce low drive off the far post.

In injury time Greg Williams hit the side-netting from close range but it was too little too late for the well beaten Ducks.

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING

Yeltz 1 Cirencester 1

The mighty Yeltz gained a point at The Grove against Cirencester with a 1-1 draw. It sounds from Dave's match report that a few fireworks went off during the match, with both teams having a man sent off. I couldn't figure out any more Bonfire Night related puns so you should just read the report (and I'll give myself a rocket for writing so poorly).

On Saturday we play Aylesbury at home in the Trophy. They're on a terrible run (2 draws and 5 losses) and we're due a decent run in the competition - so I'm trying not to expect the worse. Let's hope we can get through to the 3rd Round for the first time in 3 years (the year we lost at Alfreton).

Match Report from DJ

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

Cirencester Town: Book; Arndale, Fullam, Jackson, Horgan, Viveash, Robison, Richards, Hopkins, Cowe, Halliday. Unused Subs: L. Smith, Stanley, Fraser, Griffin.

Referee: M. Murphy (Coventry) Attendance: 367 Booked: Horgan (29), Pope (90) Sent Off: Horgan (59), Forsdick (90)

Halesowen had to settle for a draw despite the Centurions being reduced to ten men for most of the second half.

Gary Horgan was dismissed in the 59th minute for fouling Nicki Preston with his second offence of the afternoon. Halesowen were themselves reduced to ten men deep in injury time when goalscorer Simon Forsdick responded to a taunt by raising his hand to Craig Fullum's face and harshly received a straight red card.

With the visitors lacking confidence after a poor run of results, Horgan hit over Halesowen's bar in the second minute and in the 5th minute Gareth Hopkins found himself free on the left but the out-of-form striker blasted high.

Alex Cowley's 9th minute drive was easily collected by visiting goalkeeper Steve Book and in the 18th minute league-leading goal-scorer Nathan Lamey flashed a shot across the Cirencester goal.

Cirencester enjoyed the better of play in the first period and a 23rd minute Mark Richards shot earned a corner with the home defence exposed before Horgan's 33rd minute attempt drifted just wide.

Halesowen found it tough to break down a well organised defence marshalled by Adi Viveash although Ian Cooper delivered a couple of dangerous crosses late in the half.

Kevin HALLIDAY gave the visitors the lead with a soft goal in first half injury time when his seemingly poorly hit 30-yard free-kick trundled through the defensive wall and rolled on to creep beyond Preston and under unsighted goalkeeper Dean Coleman.

The Yeltz produced a better second-half performance with Cowley proving to be a constant menace down the right wing. On 50 minutes Cowley's good turn and cross was cleared by Viveash and five minutes later Howard Forinton fired wide after being set up by Lamey.

Halesowen stepped up the pressure after Horgan's dismissal with Darren Robison heading over his own bar from another dangerous Cowley cross in the 64th minute.

FORSDICK levelled the score in the 67th minute by converting Cowley's deep right-wing cross despite Book almost saving the close range shot.

But the Centurions should have regained the lead three minutes later when Coleman spilled Neil Arndale's cross and Hopkins blazed the loose ball over the bar from just three yards.

Halesowen could not find enough extra flair to create a second goal against ten-man Cirencester with Forsdick shooting high in the 71st minute and Lamey rolling just wide from Steve Pope's 77th minute cross. Forsdick's 82nd minute header looped onto the roof of the net after Preston's cross was headed back across goal. Steve Cowe curled just wide with five minutes remaining at the other end.

Pope was booked for complaining about Forsdick's last-gasp sending-off seconds before the final whistle and both players will now receive suspensions later in November.

DISAPPOINTING

Yeltz 0 Grantham 2

After our decent run of late, it's a bit disappointing that we lost 2-0 last night at home to Grantham. Two first half goals means we're back into 10th place (I hope - my stats have been a bit unreliable recently!) - although still only 4 points off the play-off zone. More details in DJ's match report.

On Saturday we make what must be our first visit to Cheshunt - let's hope it can be a winning one. I'm off visiting one of the Spanish branches of our supporters club, so updates may be a little slow over the weekend.

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Pierpoint (Steane 74), Harkness, Preston, Pope (Skidmore 79), Cooper, Cowley, Lamey, C. Smith (Amos 74), N. Smith, Forsdick. Unused Subs: Johnson, Haywood.

Grantham Town: Ziccardi; Wooding (Francis 71), Weale, Sturgess, Julian, Brown, F. Smith, Glover, Carruthers (Turner 33), Sneddon (Evans 89), Matthews. Unused Sub: Speed.

Referee: L. Sinclair (Brierley Hill) Attendance: 291

Halesowen could provide no response after falling behind to two first-half defensive lapses.

After four games without a win Grantham made their intentions known when player-manager Lee Glover drilled past the post in the 5th minute.

Alex Cowley cut in for Halesowen in the 7th minute and visiting goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi did just enough to divert the ball away as the hosts forced a couple of corners a minute later. Cowley's 11th minute cross was then almost met by Simon Forsdick at the far post and Nick Smith saw his 17th minute strike from 22 yards tipped over the bar by Ziccardi.

But the Gingerbreads took a 23rd minute lead when GLOVER's quickly taken 20-yard free-kick caught out the home defence and dipped beyond young goalkeeper Dean Coleman. Fabian Smith and Martin Carruthers made a neat 26th minute interchange to earn a Grantham corner and on the half-hour Glover collected a short corner and set up Adam Sturgess to fire at Coleman.

The visitors increased the lead after 35 minutes when Coleman dropped Richard Weale's corner and although he recovered to save from substitute Jason Turner, Michael SNEDDON's looping header found the net from the rebound as the ball ping-ponged around the home penalty area.

Although the Yeltz had plenty of pressure after the break, it was to no avail and Ziccardi comfortably dealt with a number of crosses in an uninspiring second-half. Another Nick Smith drive after 46 minutes produced the same result as the first half as Ziccardi again tipped the ball over the bar from a similar position. The ball then bounced off Tim Wooding's shoulder for a corner on 48 minutes and Ziccardi collected Nathan Lamey's corner a minute later.

On-loan Jon Harkness looked impressive for the home side as his 56th minute free-kick was deflected for a corner and then watched his 64th minute free-kick fall inches wide of the post.

With Grantham happy to sit back and protect their comfortable lead, Turner produced their only chance of the half by shooting wide after being set up by Sneddon on 73 minutes.

Steve Pope limped off after receiving a worrying 79th minute injury and with five minutes remaining Forsdick lost his marker but headed straight at Ziccardi as the game petered out allowing Grantham to leave the Grove with points at the ninth time of trying.

A DECENT POINT

Bath City 0 Yeltz 0

The mighty Yeltz gained a valuable point with a 0-0 draw away at Bath. With lots of injuries this is a pretty creditable performance as it's never an easy place to go.

Surprisingly enough there appears to be some difference of opinion on whether we were terrible and just went to stifle the game, or whether we played quite well - it's no surprise which side has which opinion - but obviously we're right as we're proven experts on football as well as generally neutral on these things.

We're next in action on Tuesday when Grantham visit The Grove. They're 7th (not 3rd!) in the table , but we've already got a draw at their place so let's hope for a win to keep up right in touch.

Match Report from Darren

Bath City:- Evans, S Jones, Power, Coupe, G Jones, Harris (Ford 78), Bird, Holloway, Walsh, Partridge (Paul 82), Sandell. Unused subs:- Clarke, York, Bryant

Halesowen Town:- Coleman, Pierpoint, Harkness, Preston, Pope (c), Amos, N Smith, Lamey, C Smith (Strachan 86), Cooper (Skidmore 69), Forsdick. Unused subs:- Cowley, Steane, Johnson.

Booked: Pope 73, Pierpoint 83. Attendance: 580

Due to injuries Halesowen fielded a much changed side from the previous few matches. However it didn't appear to disrupt them too much as they battled hard to earn a good point and frustrate Bath City at Twerton Park.

Nick Smith earned the Yeltz an early free kick and new loan signing Harkness was unlucky with his first contribution on 3 minutes when he struck a free kick over the wall but Paul Evans in the Bath goal tipped over.

Bath responded well and a throw in on 5 minutes was headed just wide by Walsh on 5 minutes. On 9 minutes a Harkness through ball allowed Nathan Lamey to break free down the left and he pulled back a cross to Chris Smith who hit wide after the defender missed the ball completely.

Another Walsh header following a diagonal cross was just over on 23 minutes. Halesowen won a corner on 26 minutes, which Nick Smith picked up the short corner and crossed, but Bath cleared well

Pressure from Bath resulted in a free kick being conceded on 35 minutes by captain Pope, but Sandell's free kick on the left was well gathered by Coleman. Another free kick on 39 minutes resulted in a similar catch by Coleman stopping the Bath pressure.

On the stroke of half time an effort by Nick Smith was well wide after he was put through by Amos.

The second half began with a slight delay on 47 minutes after Harris fell awkwardly for the home side. Lamey won a free kick just after the delay but was cleared well.

Harkness swung another excellent left footed cross on 54 minutes but Evans caught well under pressure. Three minutes later and Harkness blasted over from outside the penalty area.

Halesowen were awarded a free kick on 58 minutes in their own area much to the Bath City fan's annoyance, when a Coleman clearance hit the arm of the advancing City player.

A Lamey header went close on 59 minutes after Harkness put over another good cross.

Coleman saved well on 61 minutes, but the ball fell to Partridge who hit the ball against the post with the goal open. The play was broke up in the final 20 minutes with several substitutions by both sides as Bath tried to get the home win and Halesowen held strong for the point.

A Pope handball gave away a free kick on the right on 70 minutes which resulted in a shot being well tipped round the post by a diving Coleman. Holloway narrowly headed wide on 85 minutes but Bath couldn't find a way through, and on 88 minutes Halesowen nearly snatched all three points when Forsdick laid back to Nick Smith who hit a strong shot but Evans was well placed to save.

News Story

FAT 1QR Willenhall 2 Yeltz 3

A late kickoff, a late equaliser and a late winner meant the indomitable Yeltz battled through to the next round of the FA Trophy with a 3-2 victory away to Willenhall. Goals from Amos, Fozzy and Preston means we're through to meet Aylesbury at home in the next round. More details in Dave's match report.

On Saturday we're back to league action with a difficult away game against Bath City. They're just two points above us in the table, but it's never been an easy place to visit so any points we can pick up will be good.

Match Report from DJ

Willenhall Town: Tipton; Woodvine, Reece, Curran, Bishop (Platt 90), Holland, Campbell (Vaughan HT), Myers, Hay, Perrow, Swann (Sheppard 56). Unused Subs: Quilt, Danks

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Cooper, Haywood (Pierpoint HT), Preston, Pope, Amos (Skidmore HT), Cowley, Lamey, C. Smith, N. Smith (Steane 80), Forsdick. Unused Subs: Johnson, Strachan

Referee: C. Miller (Kettering) Attendance: 210 Booked: Reece (13), Swann (40), Pope (112)

Halesowen battled through to the net round with a dramatic 90th minute equaliser from Simon Forsdick and a late extra-time winner from Nicki Preston eventually overcoming Willenhall's stern resistance.

A long evening of football concluded at 10.40pm after extra-time with a delayed 8.10pm kick-off caused by the non-arrival of FA-appointed assistant referees, resulting in the recruitment of emergency replacement local officials.

In even early exchanges, Craig Holland's 5th minute shot bounced past Dean Coleman's post after a series of deflections before Halesowen won an 8th minute Nathan Lamey corner. Alex Cowley then sent in a 16th minute cross and Simon Forsdick won a right-wing corner a minute later as the Yeltz eased into their stride.

Nick AMOS unlocked the home defence by heading home directly from Cowley's corner to give Halesowen an 18th minute lead. Two minutes later Dave Haywood drilled just wide from 20 yards.

But the tough-tackling Lockmen were allowed to equalise just four minutes later on 22 minutes with Aaron BISHOP converting another direct header at the far post from Dominic Reece's 25-yard right-wing free-kick.

Halesowen responded and continued to press with Lamey trying just too much in the penalty area on 25 minutes before Haywood's cross fell just wide. Another free header from Amos then almost caught out goalkeeper Danny Tipton in the 28th minute and a minute later Chris Smith was put through but his first touch was too strong, allowing Tipton to claim the ball. Unconvincing Tipton then gathered the ball at his post when Amos headed onto Lamey on the half hour. Hard-working Lamey worked his way around the home defence in the 39th minute but his cross ran along the goal-line.

The uncompromising first-half led to yet more Yeltz injuries with Haywood (knee) and Amos (calf) both requiring enforced replacements at half-time.

In the second half Cowley hit Lamey's 52nd minute left-wing cross over the bar in a crowded area and Gary Hay cut in to fire over Halesowen's bar a minute later at the other end. Hay smashed well over the bar again in the 62nd minute after Nicki Preston ducked and allowed the ball to find home captain Martin Myers. Tipton then kicked the ball away to deny Forsdick at the far post from Lamey's 64th minute free-kick.

After a good spell of Willenhall pressure, substitute Stuart Pierpoint was on hand to make an important 76th minute clearance. But the hosts grabbed a 80th minute lead after Pierpoint's slip allowed Dean PERROW to pick up the ball and beat goalkeeper Coleman from 22 yards.

Chris Smith's was clear after 81 minutes but was blocked by Tipton and a minute later Holland's deflected shot was collected by Coleman at the other end.

Walking wounded Halesowen looked to be bowing out of the FA Trophy until FORSDICK latched onto a long clearance from Coleman in the 90th minute and chipped over Tipton into an empty net

As the game entered extra-time, Halesowen's extra fitness became evident with Willenhall failing to threaten.

Tireless Lamey led the line brilliantly and his 91st minute free-kick was sliced over his own bar by Myers in the 91st minute. Lamey then rolled just past the post from 20-yards out five minutes later. Tipton cleared a corner from Preston at the start of the second period of extra-time before collecting Pope's 111th minute header from another Lamey corner.

PRESTON headed home the decisive winning goal in the 114th minute from a well delivered free-kick from substitute Ben Steane. With Willenhall out of steam, Cowley displayed amazing fitness to make a right-wing run and then chase up and almost catch out Tipton with three minutes of extra-time remaining.

Halesowen move on to meet Aylesbury United at home in the 2nd Qualifying Round on November 12th.

STILL IN IT

FAT 1Q Yeltz 0 Willenhall 0

The mighty Yeltz remain in the FA Trophy after drawing 0-0 against Western Division opponents Willenhall at The Grove.

It was always going to be a tricky tie, but from what I've heard we probably had enough chances to win it. Still, it sets up an interesting replay on Tuesday.

Once again, there appear to have been some incidents after the game involving "fans" and the manager and Nigel Pitt. I have no idea what actually happened, but I can only repeat what I've said before - if all you are going to do is moan about everything then it would be better if you didn't bother supporting us any more.

We've had more ill-informed comments criticising the manager, for things like making "tactical" substitutions when amazing enough the players concerned were injured. Do people really think the manager is a complete idiot? The arrogance and lack of respect of some people astounds me.

All I can ask the moaners is this - stop f**king moaning and get behind the club before it all falls apart. Is that what you really want? (No apologies for the bad language - I'm not writing this lightly).

Match Report from DJ

Halesowen Town: Coleman; Johnson (Cooper 23), Haywood, Preston, Pope, Amos, Cowley (Strachan 64), Lamey, Forinton (C. Smith 76), N. Smith, Forsdick. Unused Subs: Skidmore, Pierpoint.

Willenhall Town: Tipton; Woodvine, Reece, Khela (Vaughan 53), Bishop, Holland (Swann 81), Campbell, Myers, Hay, Perrow, Danks. Unused Subs: Quilt, Sheppard, Hopkins.

Referee: D. Brockwell (Northampton) Attendance: 326 Booked: Lamey (61).

Willenhall forced a replay with a stalemate in the FA Trophy first-hurdle as Halesowen failed to beat lower league opposition in Cup football for the second successive Saturday.

Injuries to key players caused particular concern for Halesowen. Howard Forinton limped off with a hamstring injury, Alex Cowley was replaced due to a calf injury and Johnson strained his thigh, with all expected to miss the Tuesday replay.

The Lockmen started eagerly in the perfect playing conditions. Gary Hay returned to the Grove after his brief spell earlier in the season and provided an excellent 6th minute cross from the right for Dominic Reece to volley wide from 10 yards. Two minutes later Dean Perrow then powered a header wide from Reece's left wing cross.

For Halesowen, Alex Cowley's 13th minute effort was cleared off the line by Aaron Bishop and Cowley's 17th minute run into the box was ended by Dave Woodvine. With Willenhall creating the clearer chances both Perrow and Hay dragged efforts wide on 25 minutes and on the half-hour home goalkeeper Dean Coleman claimed a weak back-header from Nicki Preston at Hay's feet.

In end-to-end play at the end of the first half, Steve Pope headed Nathan Lamey's free-kick wide after 33 minutes. Four minutes later, Simon Forsdick picked up a loose ball in the visiting penalty area and side-stepped the last defender but blasted Halesowen's best chance of the half well over the bar from 8 yards. Two minutes before the interval Perrow turned in the Halesowen area but Coleman saved his low drive near the post.

The visitors took the game to Halesowen at the start of the second-half and created a string of good chances. Perrow's dangerous 47th minute cross was just missed by Martin Myers in front of goal and on 54 minutes Perrow put Nicky Campbell through but he elected to square the ball to Hay when well placed. Paul Danks then turned in the box but scuffed his shot straight at a grateful Coleman in the 57th minute. Substitute Ian Cooper was on hand to clear a 63rd minute shot from Hay off the line for Halesowen's troubled defence.

Willenhall had a 66th minute let-off when substitute Craig Strachan delivered a free-kick for Pope to glance a header onto the far post. A high-ball from Cooper then led to Howard Forinton being injured in a 75th minute challenge on Willenhall goalkeeper Danny Tipton.

The Yeltz finished the game strongly but wasted three good chances in the final ten minutes. Substitute Chris Smith struck the post in front of an open goal after 83 minutes from a rebound when Tipton saved after Lamey's persistence saw him win the ball in the area.

Forsdick then latched onto a long 87th minute clearance from Coleman but his weak effort was easily saved by Tipton. Tipton then produced an excellent point-blank save in the final minute to keep out Pope's close range header from Lamey's free-kick and secure a replay at Noose Lane.

SLIGHTLY BETTER

Yeltz 7 Yate 2

The indomitable Yeltz bounced back from Saturday's cup defeat and a lot of criticism with an impressive 7-2 victory over struggling Yate. Two goals each from Nick Smith and H and a hat-trick from Nathan made it a night to remember in front of a disappointing crowd of 243.

There's been lots of calls on YeltzTalk for the manager to be sacked, but maybe they'll disappear for a while after last night. The thing that is frustrating me is the way some people are determined to see it as a black and white issue - you're either 100% against the manager or 100% for him - a stance which is guaranteed to cause friction in the club.

My stance on this has been pretty consistent over the years - you support the club as much as you can even when you might have some reservations, unless it gets so bad that something must be done. Even then you can trust the people who run the club to do the right thing, as they are fans too and will know when the time is right to change things.

To point out the bleeding obvious once again - we are a small non-league club not Man. Utd., and we are all in this together. We are becoming a laughing stock amongst fans from other clubs, and frankly I'm embarrased by some of the posts that are on this site. Think how you want our (yes OUR) club is portrayed before you leave a message.

What a pain to have to write all that after a stunning 7-2 victory. Still, we're back in action on Saturday in the FA Trophy with a tricky tie at home to Willenhall.

News Story

FAC 3Q Yeltz 0 Bromsgrove 2

The mighty Yeltz were knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday by local rivals Bromsgrove, losing 2-0 at a very wet Grove.

To be honest they were a decent team, playing some good football considering the conditions, but it was pretty even all the way through. The first goal was always going to be crucial, and once they'd scored in the second half on the rebound from a speculative long-shot it was going to be hard. The second killed us off, and we probably didn't deserve much more seeing as we never made Tim Clarke make a save. Ho Hum.

It was my first time seeing us play this season (plenty of other jinx candidates though!) and it was a little disappointing. I was very impressed by H up front, but Fozzy was unrecognisable (not just because he's got no hair) and we didn't really pass it well at all. Completely unfair to judge on one day in the wet though, so I'll leave it at that.

We're back to league action on Tuesday when Yate are the visitors. They've not had a great start, but won 4-1 against Cheshunt on Saturday so, like most games in this league, it isn't going to be easy.

GOT ANY HOSE?

BSC Yeltz 1 Redditch 0

Another win for the indomitable Yeltz as we progressed through to the next round of the B'ham Senior Cup with a one-oh victory over Redditch. A rare goal from Dave Haywood just before half-time cliched it, and it's good to see Ben Steane made a comeback after a long period of injury.

On Saturday we're in cup action again, this time the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round at home to Bromsgrove. As well as the glory of the cup and the attraction of playing league sides, it's important that we win for the prize money that a good run generates - all in all a very important game. Don't forget we kick off at 2pm because of the England game afterwards.

Match Report from Darren

Halesowen Town team:- Coleman, Johnson, Haywood, Preston (c), Pierpoint (Forsdick 81), Cooper, Steane (Cowley 65), Lamey, C Smith, N Smith, Skidmore (Amos 72). Unused subs:- Forinton, Pope

Redditch United:- Solly, Clarke, Pearce, Scheppel, Knight (c), Flynn, Moore, Doyle, Rickards, Woodley, Charlton. Unused subs:- Creighton, Jenkins, Taylor Unused, Cornelius

Attendance: 227

Halesowen Town progressed to the 3rd round of the Birmingham Senior Cup with a hard fought and well deserved victory against Nationwide North rivals Redditch United at the Grove.

Straight from the kick off Nathan Lamey ran at the Redditch defence and hit a shot off target. With the returning Ben Steane in midfield, his probing 9th minute cross was well collected by Solly in the Reds goal. Scheppel went close on 15 minutes with a snapshot from the edge of the area that went over.

A foul by Pearce on Lamey resulted in a free kick which Lamey hit wide on 21 minutes. Good work by Nick Smith on 33 minutes allowed the ball to fall to namesake Chris who lobbed just wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Coleman was alert to another long range effort on 36 minutes. A break on 37 minutes allowed Rickards to cross for the incoming Wilding, but the defence stood firm and blocked. A corner was then headed just over by Wilding on 39 minutes as Redditch showed signs of pressuring the Yeltz goal.

A 41st minute run at the defence by Chris Smith from the right allowed him to feed a through ball to Lamey who's miscued shot fell to DAVE HAYWOOD who rounded the keeper and put the Yeltz one up. Cooper then drove just wide in first half injury time after good work from Steane.

Early second half pressure resulted in a corner to Halesowen and Nick Smith met the quickly taken short corner and saw his header tipped over by Solly on 51 minutes. A corner from Charlton on 57 was well gathered by Coleman in the Halesowen goal.

A Haywood free kick on 61 minutes was excellently headed towards the Redditch goal by Nathan Lamey but the ball struck the crossbar and went over.

Sustained Redditch pressure in the final quarter of the game came to very little and Halesowen could have doubled their advantage on 85 minutes when Cowley picked up a loose ball but shot just wide.

THINGS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT

Yeltz 1 Chesham 0

Match Report from Darren

Halesowen Town:- Coleman, Johnson, Haywood, Preston, Pope, Amos, Cowley (Cooper 88), Lamey (C Smith 79), Forinton, N Smith, Forsdick. Unused subs:- Strachan, Skidmore, Pierpoint

Chesham United:- Bonfield, Sinclair, Sweeney, Corbould, Bowden-Haase, Polidore (Mapes 84), Byrne (c), Hall, Sippetts, Lawford (B Smith 87), Scarlett. Unused subs:- Dawber, Bateman, Foster

Booked: Preston 71, Amos 75 Attendance: 386

An excellent all round performance from Halesowen earnt them 3 valuable points for the first time since August Bank Holiday.

A bright start by the Yeltz with Cowley swinging in a free kick which was headed just wide. Chesham's Steve Sinclair hit just over on 3 minutes after good work down the left.

A move between Forsdick and Lamey on 7 minutes allowed Nick Smith to hit a left footed drive which was tipped over by Bonfield. A diagonal pass from Johnson on 9 allowed Forsdick to break clear but he just failed to hit the target as the ball went over.

Halesowen continued to build on their early pressure, with Forinton driving a shot across the face of the goal on 18 minutes but Forsdick was just unable to reach it. Forsdick again went close a minute later but just over ran the ball after rounding the keeper.

Forinton seized upon a poor Chesham back pass on 26 but the keeper recovered well to save. Chesham broke clear on 27 minutes but Andre Scarlett's effort was deflected over. Forinton linked up well with Cowley on 29 with Cowley having his left foot shot pushed wide. From the resulting corner Lamey rounded the keeper but his pull back was well defended by Chesham's solid looking rearguard action.

Another good cross from Cowley was just missed by Nick Smith on 40 minutes, but a minute later following a corner the ball fell to HOWARD FORINTON who played an excellent 1-2 with Steve Pope before scoring his 2nd league goal of the season and put Halesowen into a deserved half time lead.

From the restart Coleman was called on to tip over from John Lawford as Halesowen were nearly caught cold. Cowley broke clear on 53 minutes but Bowden-Haase recovered to clear the danger. A cross shot from Forinton just missed Lamey at the far post a minute later.

A through ball from Forsdick allowed Cowley to break free on 58 minutes but the keeper was alert to the danger and cleared the ball for a throw in. Amos headed a Forinton cross over on 65 minutes.

With Chesham coming in to the game a little more mid way through the second half, Dave Haywood gave a penalty away after pushing the Chesham forward. Graham Hall's right foot shot was excellently saved by Dean Coleman and as the follow up was hit towards the goal Nick Preston handled. The referee only booked Preston but awarded Chesham a second penalty in a minute. This time John Lawford struck a low left foot shot and this time Coleman produced a fantastic save to push the ball over the bar.

Halesowen recovered from this pressure as Cowley went close on 82 minutes after excellent work on the edge of the box.The resulting corner was headed goalwards by substitute Chris Smith which the keeper did well to save.

Halesowen held on in the 3 minutes of injury time to get a deserved 3 points.