Halesowen came from behind in an early lunch-time kick-off against Cambridge to maintain their 100% home record, writes David Johnson.

Yeltz joint-manager Martin Sockett was “delighted with the three points. Cambridge are in a rich vein of form, so we knew it was not going to be easy. They are defensively good but we still created plenty of chances. Too many free-kicks stopped our flow in the second half, but we dealt with everything.”

In an unchanged home line-up from last week’s victory over Chasetown, Richard Gregory’s early 4th minute shot was cleared off the line and Cambridge goalkeeper Joe Welch grabbed the ball at Gregory’s feet from Brad Birch’s 10th minute cross. A good effort from Cambridge’s Jarid Robson fell just wide a minute later.

But the Lilywhites snatched a 19th minute lead when Dan Cotton’s corner was headed home with a free header in front of goal by Bradley GOTHARD.

Halesowen responded, but in-form Cambridge’s solid back-line proved a tough nut to crack as Birch put a back-header wide from Josh Ezewele’s 24th minute free-kick and Jamie Insall wasted a chance when put through two minutes later.

The Yeltz then finished the first half in fine style to take a lead into the interval. The equaliser came from clever movement at a 30th minute corner when Insall flicked a header on for BIRCH to sweep the ball home. A 33rd minute cross from Ezewele was cut out by Welch and a 38th minute cross from Simeon Cobourne was turned away for a corner. Cobourne then set up Birch to drive a low 39th minute shot wide.

GREGORY drilled home Halesowen’s winner in first-half injury time from the penalty spot after Cotton clipped Ezewele’s legs. There was still enough time in the first period for Cobourne to be put free on goal but he couldn’t convert his final shot.

The second half was a scrappier affair, frequently interrupted by free-kicks breaking up the game, but Halesowen defended solidly and never looked in danger of losing the lead. Ezewele’s low shot from a 47th minute corner was collected by Welch and Gregory found the side-netting from Ezewele’s 70th minute corner.

Home substitute Nathan Hayward struck a loose ball just over the bar after 72 minutes and Birch set up Cobourne to clip the top of the crossbar three minutes later. Welch grabbed the ball at Cobourne’s feet in the 80th minute at the end of a neat move and young substitute Taylor Homer did well down the left to set up Birch in the final minute with his shot tipped over the bar by Welch.

Final score: Halesowen Town 2 Cambridge City 1

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Josh Ezewele, Oscar Tonge, Josh Quaynor, Kieran Morris (c), Nat Kelly, Kieran Donnelly (McKauley Manning 60), Brad Birch, Jamie Insall (Nathan Hayward 71), Richard Gregory, Simeon Cobourne (Taylor Homer 82). Subs Not Used: Tom Turton, Rob Evans.

Cambridge City: Joe Welch; Luca Doorbar-Baptist, Bradley Gothard, Isaac Maynard, Yaw Ofosu (c), Daniel Akubuine, Jake Battersby (Ryan Ingrey 61), Simon Swinton, Tom Waumsley, Jarid Robson, Dan Cotton. Sub Not Used: Caleb Chandler, Nathan Olukanmi, Taylor Parr, Scott Bridges.

Referee: Nathanael Wormleighton                     Attendance: 766

Booked: Maynard (24), Akubuine (37), Swinton (45), Insall (45), Cobourne (48), Morris (53), Kelly (57), Waumsley (68), Ofosu (85)

‘Tulleys Print’ HTFC Man of the Match selected by ACE Embroidery: Nat Kelly

Non-League Paper Man of the Match: Brad Birch

Report submitted by Halesowen Town FC