IN TROUBLE AGAIN

Yeltz 0 Merthyr 1

Very disappointing. For a while it looked as though we were starting to improve, but a poor run since New Year has left us only 6 points above the relegation zone with some tricky games coming up.

Merthyr had been on an equally poor run, which makes it doubly disappointing, although from what I've heard their victory was not undeserved.

So it's just the small matter of Boston and Bath coming up. Well at least Fantasy Island should be a bit easier :-(

LET'S CONCENTRATE ON THE LEAGUE

WSC Solihull 1 Yeltz 0

Well that leads just our fascinating League campaign. The Yeltz crashed out of their only remaining Cup competition - the prestigious Worcestershire Senior - losing to Solihull 1-0.

Saturday brings the annual visit of our Welsh friends from Merthyr. The Jolly Boys are playing their supporters in the morning before the game, and we'll be hoping for our usual victory in both games :-)

I'm away for a few days over the weekend, so unfortunately the site may not be updated until early next week.

FORTRESS GROVE

Yeltz 2 Newport 0

Back at the ranch, The Yeltz grabbed a much needed 3 points with a 2-0 victory against Newport. A Crisp penalty just before half-time and a second from the gas man just after has left us looking a bit more comfortable in 12th place.

We're due to play Solihull in the Worcester Senior on Wednesday. The Yeltzline didn't mention anything about it, but thanks to everyone who've confirmed that the game is on (played at Redditch)

Next Saturday is the annual visit of our Welsh friends from Merthyr. The Jolly Boys are playing their supporters in the morning before the game, and we'll be hoping for our usual victory in both games :-)

A REASONABLE POINT

Clevedon 0 Yeltz 0

On an extremely windy day, the Yeltz battled to a much needed point away at Clevedon. The weather ruined the game, but they've had a pretty good record at home so it's not too bad.

The table makes pretty worrying reading. The bottom 3 are really struggling, but we're only 6 points above Crawley who hold that last relegation spot. The next two games, at HOME to Newport and Merthyr are looking very important.

There's been all sorts of rumours flying about saying Birchy is leaving for £20,000 to Bishop Auckland, being replaced by Robbie Slater. This seems particularly unlikely to me, but if anything happens as usual this site will bring you the news a couple of days late :-)

I believe we have signed Steve Taylor, a forward and semi-pro international from Kiddy. With Ian Olney and Evran back in retirement, I reckon that takes our fit strike force back up to 3.

There's an exciting new addition to the site this week - all the latest details of travel to away games brought to you by the HTFC Travel Club. This is maintained by Kev who runs the club, so the information should be reliable. Full details are on the Travel Club page.

WE'RE CRAP AWAY

Havant 2 Yeltz 1

After the excitement of the Trophy, it's back to usual I'm afraid. Another disappointing away performance, and we're left looking anxiously over our shoulders at the relegation zone.

All the goals were in the first half, with the Yeltz one being scored by Stuart Payne. We're now down to 14th place in the table , just 8 points above the bottom four. Hmmm.

Unfortunately, it's another away trip next Saturday, with a trip down the M5 to Clevedon.

News Story

FAT Yeltz 2 Doncaster 3 (AET)

So close. In a fluctuating battle against Conference side Doncaster, the mighty Yeltz lost by the odd goal in 5 after coming from behind to take the lead in extra time.

The game kicked off 45 minutes late, and was goalless until Donny took the lead just after half-time. However we soon struck back from Evran Wright, back in his 12th spell at the club after trying to retire. That took us into extra-time, where we took the lead through Crispy, but they drew level before the extra-time break, and then unfortunately scored the winner with 9 minutes to go.

I got all of the above from an awful evening watching the Ceefax, so any match reports are, as usual, gratefully received.

FANTASTIC EFFORT AGAINST DONNY

FAT Doncaster 1 Yeltz 1

In a fantastic battling performance, the mighty Yeltz earned a deserved replay with a 1-1 draw against Doncaster.

It was a scrappy first half, with Birchy, thankfully returning in midfield, influential but with no real chances at either end. Then the vocal Yeltz following were rewarded by a goal from new bloke Ian Olney, who coolly lifted his shot over the advancing keeper.

The lead lasted about 10 minutes, until they equalised with a spectacular effort for outside the box, and the rest of the game was reasonably even, with us being under some pressure but looking dangerous on the break.

There's some pictures of the game at one of the excellent Doncaster web sites at http://www.wroenco.com/drfc/drfc_ix.htm if you're interested.

The replay's on Tuesday night at The Grove. Let's hope for a large and vocal support - we can do it!

ROLL ON SATURDAY

BSC Boldmere 2 Yeltz 1 (AET)

Genius. There's no point wasting effort on these local competitions when we've got the Trophy to concentrate on.

Boldmere took the lead in the 81st minute, before Stuart Payne equalised almost immediately. This meant extra-time (just what we wanted) and unfortunately a last minute winner for the home team.

No need to remind you about the big one on Saturday - our 3rd Round FA Trophy game away to Conference side Doncaster. COME ON!!!

Match Report from Darren Marklew

Do you allow double figure scores in Fantasy Island?.

This wasn't the greatest result before possibly the biggest game of the season (assuming we escape a relegation battle!). Yet again Danny saved us on several occasions but in all fairness we had two shots on target in 120 minutes and Boldmere deserved there win..

The chap who gives Ashley Brown a lift to the matches (Jason Donovan or something like that!) played on the left and considering nobody has a clue who he is, he didn't do badly before being taken off for Jason Owen! Roll on Doncaster and lets hope we win 4-1 (cos I might predict that!).

The team was : McDonnell; Brown; Donovan; Wood; Lloyd; Gardiner; Collins; Payne; Gennard; Cartwright; Crisp.

Attendance: really was one man and his dog!

A RIGHT GOOD STUFFING

Yeltz 0 Tamworth 3

Very disappointing. The first home game of the century brought local rivals Tamworth to The Grove, where they gave us a comprehensive 3-0 roasting. Not the best of warm-ups for next week's big Trophy game at Doncaster.

This week brought another new forward to The Grove - Ian Olney , formerly of Villa and Kiddy amongst other places. Let's hope he'll soon be knocking them in, as we're still looking for a consistent finisher to replace old Pie-arce.

The B'ham Senior Cup game at Boldmere has been rearranged to this Tuesday (7.30pm kickoff) before the big one next Saturday.

YELTZ DOUBLE SHARES POINTS AT GLOUCESTER

Gloucester 2 Yeltz 2

First of all I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, especially those of you who've just found us on your lovely new Xmas computers.

It might be a new millennium, but I'm afraid the coverage here will be as up-to-date as ever :-( However our first game of the century resulted in a very creditable 2-2 draw away to old rivals Gloucester City. Goals from Cooper and Payne extended our unbeaten run (in the League) to 5 games.

Don't forget, if you were at the game and would like to add your opinion on what happened, why not send in a match report?

Match Report from Andrew Simpson

On a cold and wet January afternoon the game got off to a stuttering start with niggly tackles and some dodgy decisions going against us. The game never got going until Gloucester made the breakthrough on 44 minutes with a tap in. Halesowen replied instantly, Crispy crossing a great ball which Ada Cooper slotted home.

The second half started well with another Crispy cross was slotted home cooly by Stuart Payne to make it 2-1, and he could have made it three when he slotted the ball wide in a one to one with the Tigers 'keeper Ryan Gallaway. The Yeltz hung on for 35 minutes with the Meadow Park pitch not helping City's attack with the ball sticking in the mud on numerous occasions. The Gloucester breakthrough finally came when the home side's number 4 headed home. The game finished in a skirmish with Wayne Lloyd killing almost all the home side!

Team: McDonnell, Crisp, Owen, Wood, Lloyd, Collins, Wright, Payne, Gennard, Cooper, Smith - Subs (not used) Brown, Cartwright, Donavan