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Blue Square North - Saturday 29th March Barrow blitz the Bucks
AFC Telford’s miserable run continued today as in-form Barrow subjected the Bucks to their third defeat in a row. It took just four minutes for the deadlock to be broken, when Telford goalkeeper Asa Charlton made a meal of a clearance, Barrow’s Andrew Bond volleyed the ball and it fell to the grateful feet of Jason Walker, who drove into the box and calmly slid the ball into the net. The goal settled the away side and they continued to attack, with Bond coming close with a curling shot that flew just over the bar. The pressure paid off soon after when Chris Thompson capitalised on a mix up in the Telford box, driving the ball into the net. The assistant referee put his flag up, indicating that Bond was in an offside position when the goal was scored, however he did not interrupt play and the referee let the goal stand. The Bucks were shell-shocked, and Barrow continued to dominate. The first real chance for the home side came when Lee Moore’s strike hit the side netting, and soon after a shot from Ian Holmes whistled just wide. Despite their efforts however, they could not make any impact on the game and Barrow seemed comfortable in the run up to half time. Telford manager Rob Smith made his intentions clear at the break, making two changes. Leading scorer Matty Lewis and striker Michael Husbands replaced Lee Moore and Gary Fitzpatrick. They made no difference to the pattern of the game however, as Barrow dominated possession and closed down Telford whenever they attacked. The rest of the game was of little note, with Telford failing to create any clear-cut chances, and Barrow stayed solid to earn their latest victory in an 11-game unbeaten run.Subs: Telford Matty Lewis (for Gary Fitzpatrick, 45) Michael Husbands (for Lee Moore, 45) Luke Reynolds (for Ian Holmes, 71) Barrow Paul Brown (for Chris Thompson, 75) Paul Tait (for Jason Walker, 88) Rio Nelson (for Nick Rogan, 90)
BGB Football League Division One Midlands - Saturday Jan 26th Chasetown rescue point at the Roms
Romulus FC 1 – 1 Chasetown Dean Perrow came to the rescue today for Chasetown after a lacklustre affair against Sutton Coldfield based Romulus FC. The home side went off to a perfect start in the second minute when defender Peter Folkes’s lob towards goal seemed to have been caught by the goalkeeper, but he stumbled backwards and the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line. The rest of the first half was extremely scrappy, with neither team showing any urgency. Romulus forward Jason Lanns was the only player to have any chances with a shot just wide and a header over the bar. Chasetown put the pressure on in the second half and it paid off in the 50th minute, a great solo effort from Dean Perrow bringing the visitors level. They had a few more chances to take the lead, but the game always looked like ending in a draw. Attendance: 361
British Gas Business Football League – Premier Division Saturday, 19th January 2008, 3.00pm at The Grove, Halesowen Brennan shines against Merthyr
Halesowen Town 3 – 0 Merthyr Tydfill Halesowen’s star striker Dean Brennan netted twice in a scrappy win against Merthyr Tydfill, boosting The Yeltz’s promotion hopes. The score line was by no means a true reflection of the game itself, which stopped and started throughout. Halesowen exerted some early pressure, with Zema Abbey hitting the post two minutes into the game after a cross from new signing Ikechi Anya. Shane Paul saw a wicked curling volley saved by Merthyr goalkeeper Ashley Merris soon afterwards. Merthyr Tydfill’s first chance came five minutes later when Darren Griffiths was put clean through, only to be pulled up for a previous foul on Halesowen’s Nick Amos. Not long afterwards Ashley Merris was dramatically sent off for handling the ball outside the box, defender Ross Porter taking his place in goal. With the away side down to ten men, Halesowen piled on the pressure and eventually Zema Abbey made the breakthrough just before half time, latching onto a low cross from Anya. Merthyr began the second half brightly, Griffiths again coming close with a turn and shot squirming past the post. Just when it seemed like the ten men had a chance of getting back into the game, Dean Brennan struck in the 69th minute after good interplay by Shane Paul and captain Darren Caskey on the edge of the box. There was no way back for the away side after that, and 15 minutes from time Brennan bagged his second goal of the game after substitute Davion Hamilton ripped the Merthyr defence apart with a blazing run and cross, setting up the striker for his eighth goal of the season. Brennan could have had a hat trick soon after, but he scuffed his shot from close range. Shane Paul could have continued his rich scoring form, seeing two close range shots saved by makeshift goalkeeper Porter. During stoppage time Brennan had another opportunity, but his low shot was just wide of the post. It wasn’t an impressive display by The Yeltz, but they muscled three points from a resilient Merthyr Tydfill side, and are now level on points with league leaders King’s Lynn. Halesowen - Substitutions:
Davion Hamilton (for Ikechi Anya, 70')
Nathaniel Waite (for Shane Paul, 90')
Merthyr Tydfill - Substitutions:
Dale Evans (for Matthew Glassey, 78')
Adam Cushen (for Darren Griffiths, 90')
Booked:
Halesowen -
Nick Amos (28')
Dean Brennan (43')
Merthyr Tydfill -
Jamie Rewbury (43')
Gareth Wharton (77')
Sent off: Ashley Merris (32')
Attendance: 451
British Gas Business Football League Premier Division PAUL HITS LATE WINNER FOR THE YELTZ
Halesowen Town 2 – 1 Hitchin Town Saturday 12th January 2008 – 2.00pm at The Grove, Halesowen. Halesowen Town retain their 2nd place position in the Southern League Premier division after a hard fought victory against struggling Hitchin Town. Just when it looked like Hitchin were going to come away with a draw, Halesowen’s Shane Paul netted in the 88th minute to snatch the points. The game started off busily, with both teams attempting to break each other down. Hitchin’s Ricky Miller had the first attempt on goal in the tenth minute, but his shot was comfortably saved by Mark Osborn. A few minutes later The Yeltz signalled their intentions when Shane Paul’s skill down the right flank opened up an opportunity for Dean Brennan, who hit the post. The end-to-end action continued when Hitchin’s Paul Armstrong saw his free kick tipped over the bar by Osborn. This prompted further pressure from the away side, with Armstrong having another shot saved, then Ricky Miller failing to capitalise on a fumble by the goalkeeper. After half an hour the game became scrappier, but Halesowen nearly edged in front when Zema Abbey’s header was cleared off the line from a corner. Two minutes later Hitchin were punished for their sloppy set piece defending, when Abbey made no mistake in heading home after the next corner. Hitchin revitalised themselves for the second half, bringing on James Nash in place of Ricky Miller to add some solidity to the midfield. It wasn’t long before their hard-earned equaliser either; Richard Pringle tapping in after Wayne Mills hit the post. The home side responded by bringing on new signing Ikechi Anya to inject life into the game, and he responded well, making several roving runs and creating plenty of chances, especially a low cross that flashed across an empty goal. Anya followed with a low shot that whistled wide after a blazing run. Halesowen manager Morrell Maison was beginning to look frustrated as Hitchin seemed to cope with everything that was thrown at them, until the 88th minute when Shane Paul thrashed the ball into the net after a scramble in the box. Hitchin tried to formulate a late equaliser with Dean Gilbert coming close when he headed over the bar, but it was too little too late. The away side may have felt like they deserved a point, but it was their inability to cope with corners that contributed to their downfall.
Bookings: Carl Willams (Hitchin) 88’ Subs: Hitchin: James Nash (for Ricky Miller, 45’) Halesowen: Ikechi Anya (for Rodney Hicks, 60’) Nathaniel Waite (for Dean Brennan, 68’)
Attendance: 420
Blue Square North - Saturday 3rd November Telford Triumph in Gritty Encounter
Redditch United 0-1 AFC Telford AFC Telford strengthened their play-off position in a hard-fought victory at the Valley Stadium. Before the match manager Rob Smith, a former Redditch player, emphasised the need for his players to keep their feet on the ground, despite the amazing transformation the club has undergone since his arrival. Their performance was testament to this; a professional display against a resolute Redditch side. The game began with both teams on the defensive, and chances were few and far between; the only notable effort coming from Telford’s Jon Adams, his close-range shot whistling wide after five minutes. In the 27th minute a high tackle by Redditch defender Danny Edwards on Lee Vaughan forced Telford to make their first substitution – Simon Forsdick his replacement. Immediately after the change the Reds had their first real chance, a low shot from Richard Pool saved by Telford keeper Ryan Young. Tempers flared after the Vaughan incident and referee J. Adcock struggled to control the game, booking Telford’s Lee Downes and Redditch’s Gary Fitzpatrick after a scuffle. The referee was withdrawn at half time and replaced by an assistant. The second half was livelier, with both sides having decent chances. Chris Murphy of Redditch had a looping shot saved, and Jon Adams saw his screaming volley tipped over the bar by Redditch keeper Daniel Lewis. Just when the home side were getting into their stride, Telford’s Matty Lewis delivered a devastating blow - slotting home in the 56th minute from Lee Moore’s low cross. Redditch seemed to have lost heart after that, and Lewis could have added to his tally ten minutes later, but he was called offside when his close range shot found the net. He was denied again with 15 minutes to go – another goal disallowed for a foul by Lee Moore during the build-up. Despite the home side’s best efforts including substitute Jai Stanley shooting wide in injury time, Telford remained solid and held out for a precious three points. Attendance: 880 Report by: Karen Patel Listen to Karen Patel's Video Interview with AFC boss, Rob Smith on Sunday
Southern Premier Division - Saturday, 27th October 2007 Kick off 3.00pm The Yeltz held by lowly Cheshunt
Halesowen Town FC 1-1 Cheshunt FC Att: 429 Halesowen Town had two new signings on show at The Grove today, but there was no cause for celebration as The Yeltz were held to a draw by bottom-of-the-table Cheshunt. The game started off brightly, with both sides having some decent chances. Halesowen’s new striker Dean Brennan (pic above) came close to breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute when his powerful header hit the upright. Ten minutes later Cheshunt were unlucky not to take the lead when Harry Hunt’s goal was disallowed, the referee pulling back to give a free kick for a foul on Darrell Cox during the build-up. Cheshunt followed up with a couple more chances, Dewayne Clark coming close after Halesowen goalkeeper Mark Osborn fumbled the ball, and Darrell Cox having two shots saved. Just when Cheshunt thought they had made it through the first half unscathed, Stuart Pierpoint headed home in the 43rd minute after a well-delivered free kick from Devlin, the goal giving The Yeltz an encouraging lead to take to half time. The second half started off with Cheshunt on the front foot; Dave Hicks and Dewayne Clarke forcing saves from Osborn. However midway through the second half it was Halesowen’s turn to have a goal disallowed; Dave Brennan was judged offside when his header found the net. In the 71st minute the home side looked like adding to their lead again when Dave Hicks hit the crossbar after good work from Shane Paul. Four minutes later Hicks must have rued his luck when Cheshunt captain Steve Obeng powered a shot into the roof of the net after a scramble in the box following a corner. Both sides tried to gain the advantage towards the closing stages of the match, with Cheshunt substitute George Gregoriou and Halesowen’s Dean Brennan both coming close. However as the final whistle went Cheshunt seemed more than pleased to be leaving The Grove with a point. Subs: (Halesowen) Sean Platt (for Kevin Spencer, 60) Jay Denny (for Lee Williams, 84) Booked: Shane Paul (30), Nick Amos (58) Subs: (Cheshunt) George Gregoriou (for Harry Hunt, 89) Report by: Karen Patel
Karen Patel - Soccer X contributor Karen is aged 20 and from Dudley, West Midlands. She's currently in her second year of studying a BA (Hons) degree in Media and Communication (Journalism) at Birmingham City University in Perry Barr, which is where I live at the moment.
When she leaves University she hopes to move into either journalism or PR, so she's looking to gain as much experience as possible in both of these areas. Her ideal job would have to be a football correspondent (especially for Liverpool FC!). Be sure to return to Karen's page, where she'll be covering one of the weekend's non-league matches.
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