Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Monday, 10th March 2014, 7.45pm
Yeltz Go Back On Top
This was expected to be a tough encounter after the visitors Halesowen Town's home defeat to Belper on Saturday as they would be looking to bounce back to keep their title hopes on track and so to proved to be.
Gresley got off to a poor start giving away an early penalty and then allowing the impressive Ben Haseley to race forward and score in the first half. They did improve in the second half but the damage had been done.
Manager Martin Rowe made changes to his starting line-up with John Guy coming into midfield for Mickey Lyons who was late arriving to the ground.
Straight from the start Halesowen's tactics became apparent as every time they got the ball they launched it skyward, long and up to their forwards to latch onto. Not the most entertaining football to watch for most of the supporters that is but for them, effective.
Unfortunately, Gresley began to mirror the tactic but the results were nowhere near as effective.
The home side were hoping for a good start but it wasn't to be as Jamie Barrett brought down Haseley in the area giving the visitors an early advantage as Iyseden Christie converted the spot kick.
Gresley went agonisingly close to equalising just two minutes later but Mitch Hanson's header from Lucas Harrison's free kick flew the wrong side of the far post. Eric Graves also went close to levelling but his goal bound volley was well saved by Halesowen's keeper Matthew Sargeant.
Town were denied a second goal by the woodwork as Haseley beat the Gresley backline but his shot clattered the underneath of the bar and bounced out and his follow up was hit well wide.
The visitors didn't have long to wait for a second goal and it was that man Haseley who scored it. He had threatened a few seconds earlier but missed this time he didn't. Another long up and under clearance bounced nicely for the prolific striker and he raced forward to slot the ball past the helpless Mats Morch.
Rowe made changes at the break with Zibusiso Nyatito replacing Harrison and Gresley settled more into the second half but Haseley went close again early on but was denied by a splendid save from Morch pushing the header away at the far post. Morch was having a great game and on several occasions his quick thinking and reactions coming off the line to dive at the feet of the opposition's strikers ensured the score stayed as it was.
Just before the hour mark Gresley went close to getting on the score sheet when a mix-up between Sargeant and his defender allowed Graves to bravely try for the ball and the ricochet seemed to be heading goalwards but was cleared before it could cross the line.
Nyatito also had a half chance when he met Rob Spencer's cross from the right but his header went straight at Sargeant.
The end finished with a succession of corners for the visitors which all came to nothing but Halesowen had achieved their objective and now sit at the top of the table once more. Whether they will be there at the end of the season - the jury is still out.
Manager's View
"We couldn't contain the league's best strikers. We weren't at the races and in the first fifteen minutes they'd won the game and we never got going at all and I'm very disappointed in the lads.
"I don't know whether it's playing on a Monday a bit too soon for us so we'll have to have a look at that at the end of the season.
"We didn't have that buzz about us and we whimpered away in the game instead of stamping our authority on the game.
"We caused them no problems up front. We couldn't break them down and we tried to go longer, shorter but we couldn't get going at all and the best team won.
"It was a blow to lose Mitch Hanson after just twenty minutes. It's always a shame to lose him perhaps the game was a bit soon for him as well.
"If you look at the top six it is the first time we've lost to one of them at home. We'd won three and drawn two so our record is not bad against the top six and it was our first home defeat in fourteen games.
"Halesowen remind me a bit of Leek and Belper, direct put the ball in the right areas and they work on that. It's effective and that's why the teams are at the top but I'm sure that if I changed our system of play and went long all the time I'm sure the supporters would be moaning.
"We certainly missed Jack Langston tonight he creates things for us and unfortunately Mickey Lyons couldn't get here on time and he also create chances for us and obviously we've got Kieran O'Connell out as well and then you've got three of your best players out who are the most creative players at the club.
"Zibusiso Nyatito made a difference when he can on as he did on Saturday. I felt some of the balls he was given weren't the best but he made the most of them and we'll keep having a look and I'm sure he'll get better. Zib goes in and he's not afraid to do so he has no fear. I've said to the players if you go in for a ball and you think you're going to get it you'll get it but some of our players are half and half but Zib is a good prospect.
"I think Mats Morch had a superb game and did nothing wrong. He came off his line numerous times to take the ball off Ben Haseley before he could shoot - absolutely brilliant. I think Eric Graves did well, he never stopped working. Liam Guest also did well along with Marc Strzyzewski.
"We tried something and it didn't quite work and that was my fault. The formation wasn't quite right in the first half. So in the second half we put John Guy back as left back, dropped Rob Spencer in at wide right and Paulo Piliero in at wide left but it still didn't make that much difference. We did look a shade more solid at the back but the game was already lost.
"We have John Guy missing for the next three games but we're hoping to have Jack Langston back which will be a big bonus for us. I don't think Kieran will be back. We may have another signing.
"We had Royce Turville on the bench tonight. I asked him just before half time whether he had forty-five minutes in him but unfortunately he hadn't. We were looking to get him on for the last twenty minutes but Sam Grice had to come off with a pulled calf so we put Mickey Lyons on."
