Smith heaps praise on his in-form Halesowen Town squad

The Yeltz made it five wins on the spin by beating Kempston Rovers 5-0 in the league last Saturday before following that up with another 5-0 success in the Birmingham Senior Cup against Coventry United on Tuesday night.

It means Hales are full of confidence heading into this Saturday's FA Trophy third qualifying round clash with Gateshead.

They host the National League North side at the Grove this weekend looking to make more progress (3pm kick-off).

The manager said: "I can't praise the lads enough at the moment!

"They are a pleasure to manage and a pleasure to watch and they are all working hard for each other.

"It is only a month ago that I called them out for not giving me enough, yet the way they are playing now is testament to what they are all capable of.

"The big thing is that we keep maintaining the same levels and making sure we don't take our foot off the gas or let standards slip.

"We couldn't be going into the FA Trophy game in any better form because the players have smiles on their faces and are believing in the process we are going through.

"If I hit out at them for not giving me enough, it's only fair I praise them when things are going well.

"They are still going to have to be at their very best on Saturday but another positive is that I made six changes from Saturday and whatever side I put out is relishing the opportunity."

Montel Gibson netted in both games against Kempston and Coventry to take his tally to 19 goals in all competitions this term.

"The size of the improvement since I had him at Redditch United last season is a world apart and that just shows what he is capable of," Smith added.

"He has come on leaps and bounds after knuckling down and working hard and there is no reason why that can't continue."

Smith has no new injury issues ahead of the weekend with forward Simeon Cobourne back available.

George Forsyth will undergo an operation on his foot this week and could be back in six to eight weeks.