Walsall Wood

[Johnny Bud]

Attendance: 586

[DJ]

Pre-Season Friendly – Saturday, 29th July 2023

Halesowen Town 2 Walsall Wood 0

A first-half brace from Miracle Okafor steered Halesowen to victory over Northern Premier League Midlands newcomers Walsall Wood just a week ahead of the new Southern League Premier Central campaign, writes DJ.

Manager Paul Smith was in an upbeat mood as he summarised the pre-season. “We‘ve changed the squad around, adding nine new lads and keeping nine in a rebuild. We’re not the finished article yet but I’ve seen lots of pleasing stuff so far. They’re all challenging for their shirts. Leiston finished third last season, so next week’s first game will be a huge task, but one we’re excited about.”

Lively Halesowen took the lead after just 7 minutes through a sublime finish from Miracle OKAFOR who picked up McKauley Manning’s cross from the left and took a couple of neat touches to turn and beat goalkeeper Kieron Boucher.

Walsall Wood then almost put through their own goal in the 16th minute and Manning fired a 25th minute cross from Jack Holmes over the bar. Influential Manning’s low shot from the left was blocked after 36 minutes and another Manning shot with the outside of his left boot was saved by Boucher five minutes later.

The Yeltz doubled the lead right on the stroke of half-time at the end of another smart move after Holmes advanced down the left and Jak Hickman’s shot was saved, but OKAFOR was on hand to turn home his second goal. With Halesowen in control, home goalkeeper Dan Platt remained untroubled in the first period.

Just after the interval, a 47th minute shot from Josh Hawker drifted just wide but, after the usual batch of pre-season friendly substitutions, the visitors enjoyed a more equal share of the second-half chances. A 59th minute effort from Kevin Monteiro landed on top of the net and Platt made a good save by beating the ball away from Owen Watkins. For Halesowen, Jack Byrne put the ball just wide from a right-wing cross and Alex Smith cleared another Yeltz effort off the line. Late on, Platt made another good 82nd minute save after Watkins met a through ball from Kaden May and at the other end Caine Elliott’s header from Jac Redhead’s cross was saved by Boucher.

Halesowen Town (First Half): Dan Platt (c); Josh Ezewele, Reece Mitchell, Josh Hawker, Ryan Wynter, Player A, Jak Hickman, Todd Parker, Miracle Okafor, Jack Holmes, McKauley Manning. Second Half Subs: Kieren Donnelly, George Cater, Caine Elliott, Jac Redhead, Jack Byrne, Nathan Hayward, Ryan Boothe.

Walsall Wood: Kieron Boucher; Liam Riley-Stewart, Alex Smith, Tyreace Brown, Carter Lycett, Joe Fitzpatrick, Kevin Monteiro (c), Alex Bradley, Kaden May, Hayden Purves, Owen Watkins. Subs: Phil McKerdy, Sam Unitt, Daniel Gyasi, Jordan Clarke.

Attendance: 586

[andy]

So, all in all quite promising. Friendlies are never good indicators of seasons to come, merely glorified training sessions but we appear to have made some good acquisitions. Hopefully we will see Jack starting the season in that central role, much more of the ball, much more involved. Tough opener, we'll learn a lot more about ourselves next week. Bring it on!

[drummyb]

Have I missed something with Gregs?? He is still here??

[lutleyyeltz]

Yes, still with us. Recovering from a hernia op, I believe.

[drummyb]

Ouch!!! Cheers for the update and hope he's ok too!!

[Scribbler]

Looking forward to Saturday and the new season …. Still think we need to add more firepower to the team ASAP , to be competitive from the off and keep a winning mentality and hopefully being in the top three and remaining there all season good luck to all

[lutleyyeltz]

A bit ambitious to think of being in the top three, methinks.

[Scribbler]

Surly that is where the club must be aiming for ? And should have the means to do so …. The budget must be one of, if not the biggest in the league… with good sponsors, fantastic crowds,that spend money on food drink and merchandise every home game….compared with other clubs like Stratford, surviving on gates of around 300 ….. with all the local / big games this season , most of the home gates should be north of 1500 and some nearer 2000, maybe more ….. most national league teams don’t get that…. So yes with that said we should be the MAN CITY of the league…. And be looking to win it, or at least be challenging in the top three…. Ambition is everything and should be realised…… never be happy with mediocrity…. The club and fans deserve success…. Looking forward to the new season.. good luck to all…..

[Yeltzbaby]

About 10 clubs fans in this league will be saying exactly the same as you just have.
Saying that I totally agree with being ambitious and I am sure the club are.
With a good start we should be aiming for playoffs. Nothing to fear