Stourbr*dge Updates

[Johnny Bud]

Penalty to us!!!

[Johnny Bud]

Missed!

[Johnny Bud]

Sub: Cobourne on for Okafor, who missed the penalty.

[Johnny Bud]

Full time: (obviously) Won 1.0

[DJ]

Southern League Premier Central – Saturday, 6th January 2024

Halesowen Town 1 Stourbr*dge 0

Halesowen completed the double and lifted the Brookes-Clark Shield with a narrow victory in the number 9 derby in front of a bumper crowd of 3,150, writes DJ.

Yeltz manager Paul Smith reflected on the victorious battle played on a sticky surface. “We controlled the game, defended brilliantly and could’ve put the game to bed with the penalty. To do the double over Stourbr*dge is a great achievement. It was important to be big and strong today, though it was not one for the purists.”

Stourbr*dge manager Leon Broadhurst admitted his lack of forward options proved costly. “I’m not disappointed with the endeavour and we didn’t deserve to lose this game. But it just seems that luck is against us at the moment. We’ll do everything to turn it around, we have to keep believing. But when you’re without three recognised strikers it’s very difficult.”

The game never matched the heights of the seven goal thriller earlier in the season but Stourbr*dge created two early chances as the visitors enjoyed the better of a scrappy opening. Jessy Bavanganga flashed a free header wide from Brendon Daniels’ 4th minute corner kick and Daniels was then denied in front of goal by a block by Halesowen’s impressive new signing Tom Taylor after Jack Fletcher did well to win the ball and cross from the left.

Niall Flint struck a long range effort at home goalkeeper Dan Platt after 19 minutes and it wasn’t until the 20th minute that the Yeltz won their first corner, although Richard Gregory’s shot was crowded out. Another Glassboys’ corner was cleared in the 29th minute and Platt gathered at Niall Flint’s feet three minutes later with the depleted visitors still creating opportunities.

However, the Yeltz took the initiative towards the interval and a 38th minute free-kick from Gregory was easily collected by previously untroubled goalkeeper Charlie Price in his first save of the game.

Halesowen then took the lead against the run of the first half when Ryan WYNTER worked behind the Glassboys’ defence to meet Josh Ezewele’s cross and his effort was diverted past stranded goalkeeper Price by Brad Bood. Before the interval the Glassboys won two consecutive corners in an attempt to recover.

At the start of the second half Reece King’s shot was blocked after Flint squared the ball to the Stourbr*dge captain, although clear chances remained at a premium. Halesowen’s Jack Holmes did well on the hour mark to lay the ball off to Gregory, who in turn squared the ball for Miracle Okafor to screw wide.

But Halesowen did just enough and soaked up late pressure as Stourbr*dge ended the game as they started with a string of corners with Fletcher firing wide from outside the area in the 84th minute and King nodding wide in the 88th minute.

The Yeltz missed a golden chance to double the lead in the first minute of injury time when Harvey Portman brought down Todd Parker after Holmes and substitute McKauley Manning combined well, but the resulting poor penalty from Okafor was saved by Price.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt (c); Josh Ezewele, Reece Mitchell, Todd Parker, Ryan Wynter, Thomas Taylor, Kieren Donnelly, Nathan Hayward (Caine Elliott 78), Miracle Okafor (Simeon Cobourne 90), Richard Gregory (McKauley Manning 71), Jack Holmes. Subs Not Used: Rob Evans, Luke Redfern.

Stourbr*dge: Charles Price; Jessy Bavanganga, Brad Bood, Aaron Forde, Joel Kettle, Harvey Portman, Niall Flint (Charlie Dowd 75), Reece King (c), Brendon Daniels (Obinna Anaebonam 75), Jack Fletcher, Matthew Richards. Subs Not Used: Darryl Knights, Connor Stanley, Jack Wilson.

Referee: Jamie Conde Attendance: 3,150
Booked: Forde (36), Anaebonam (82), Parker (90)
Tulleys Print HTFC Man of the Match selected by the Vice Presidents: Jack Holmes
Non-League Paper Man of the Match: Tom Taylor

[andy]

First off, delighted to win. A scrappy 1-0 gets the same 3 points as the exciting 4-3. Secondly hats off and credit to both sets of supporters, first class. Thirdly, centre halfs and Parker were excellent. And that's where it ends. What has happened to these two teams? That was very poor fare. We look so lacking in confidence, the long ball stuff is now just becoming tedious. We used to play such lovely football. Miracle looks shot. At least thankfully most of the 'twiceaseasoners' won't return so it's easier to park and get some scram I guess....

[Rich]

3 points in the bag and the double over our rivals.
Overall a poor game on a heavy pitch but credit to our groundstaff with all the rain over the past 2 weeks.
We looked much more solid at the back although some of this down to Stour been one of the poorest oppositions this season. Thought they were woeful to be honest.
Glad we tried out the new shape though not sure it worked that well. Taylor looked good at the back and helped with this communication. Mitchell looked assured today and had one of his best games.
Parker and Haywood again the engine of the team and Holmes more involved today.
Miracle tried but really seems really out of form as shown but what was frankly a piss poor penalty.
Still a massive confidence boost for the boys and something to build on.
Despite their numbers the Stour fans were very quiet and unlike the Telford fans created no atmosphere in what was a tremendous attendance.
Credit to the Shed though for their singing virtually all game

[Simons]

It was probably a good time to play them, as they were without their main forwards. Benbow is out for the season and Freemantle who is on loan from Kiddy got injured last week, may have been different if they had been playing. We certainly didn't create much and it was quite a surprise when we scored. Seems strange that we are still only 6 points off play off positions with the way we have been playing

[Scribbler]

Great result today, in front of amazing support, both vocally and in fantastic numbers…. Not a fantastic game,on a heavy and bumpy pitch… but a lot of effort and a battling performance paid dividends…. In a game of few opportunities, thought the new centre back slotted in well and looked ok… midfield looks ok, but it’s upfront where we are struggling, and needs addressing ASAP , in my opinion, because without scoring goal’s we’re not going to win anything….Miracle had two glorious chances , to ad to his tally, but yet again he came up short, especially as one chance was a penalty…. Good job we didn’t have to rely on him slotting that one away to win the game… he’s missed a few now and that needs sorting….. ultimately he will be judged on goals, and he’s not producing the goods… we look like, and are a team with no goals in us…. That needs sorting out with the addition of two strikers, which score goals, to the squad , or we will be a mid table team, when we could and should be so much more with the fantastic support we have…. Well done to all today on a great result and battling performance….

[lutleyyeltz]

A scrappy game, overall, but we just about deserved the win.
Tom Taylor was excellent, as were the midfield machines, Parker and Hayward.
We really have to find a striker, as Miracle is on the worst of bad runs.
He missed a sitter early in the second half before missing his third penalty so far this season.
As for the crowd it was satisfying that the numpties were, mercifully, absent.
Those who were queuing in Old Hawne Lane have only themselves to blame for late entry.
Turning up 10 minutes before KO at an all ticket high profile game shows a lack of awareness.
Or stupidity?
Well done to the club for getting the game kicked off as scheduled.