Halesowen cemented their place at the top of the table and kept their unbeaten home record intact after a comprehensive 3-0 victory in the clash between the top two teams, writes David Johnson.

Spalding came to the Grove with an impressive unbeaten away record and a frugal defence, having conceded only two league goals on the road all the season.

Joint-manager Craig Nicholls was hugely pleased as “it went to the game plan to nullify their threats. We have to work very hard every game and we knew we’d have to fight and put on a show for the 1500 crowd today.”

Leading goal-scorer Richard Gregory also hailed “a brilliant performance, we were dominant throughout and strong all over. The man-of-the-match could’ve gone to anybody today.”

League leaders Halesowen made a blistering start to take an early 2-0 lead with neat football in front of a bumper crowd of 1,512. Spalding goalkeeper Michael Duggan made a great save after just 25 seconds to deny Gregory’s chip in front of goal and Dan Bucciero then cleared off the line from Jamie Insall’s 7th minute cross.

Duggan made another terrific reflex save to deny Kieren Donnelly in front of goal seconds later but the Yeltz took a richly deserved 8th minute lead when captain Rob EVANS planted a bullet header into the Spalding net directly from McKauley Manning’s resulting corner.

The Tulips first featured in the 10th minute when home goalkeeper Dan Platt punched a deep free-kick clear only as far as Sam Cartwright and his half-volley was deflected just over the bar. At the other end Nathan Hayward struck just over the bar from Manning’s cross.

Halesowen doubled the lead after just 15 minutes when Manning chased relentlessly, robbing the ball from Spalding near the bye-line, to roll the ball across goal for GREGORY to tap home.

Gregory fired wide after 18 minutes and a Spalding corner was cleared by Manning three minutes later. There was further good work from Donnelly when he dribbled across the penalty area after 39 minutes to earn another Manning corner and Ash Sammons struck wide from 20 yards out.

The Tulips launched an early second half assault but the Yeltz defence held firm as Evans cleared off the line in the 49th minute and Aaron Hart fired just high a minute later at the end of a good 50th minute run.

But Halesowen soon wrapped up the 3-0 win when central defender Nat KELLY headed home directly from another Manning corner after 55 minutes. The Yeltz kept their clean sheet intact as Sammons cleared a 66th minute header off the line and goalkeeper Platt collected an 80th minute left-wing cross low down.

Platt then thwarted a good 82nd minute run from substitute Connor Peters. Halesowen threatened again in the 84th minute when substitute Greg Mills picked out Josh Ezewele at the end of his great forward but penalty appeals for a push in the back were turned down.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Josh Ezewele, Josh Quaynor, Ash Sammons, Rob Evans (c), Nat Kelly, Kieren Donnelly (Robbie Bunn 84), Nathan Hayward, Jamie Insall (Simeon Cobourne 70), Richard Gregory (Greg Mills 57), McKauley Manning. Subs Not Used: Tom Turton, Jac Redhead.

Spalding United: Michael Duggan; Aaron Hart, Dan Bucciero, Kyle Barker, Nathan Stainfield (c) (Connor Peters 46), Sam Cartwright, Archie Jones (Lewis Hillard 74), James Clifton, Elliot Sandy, Stefan Broccoli, Dylan Edge (Bradley Rolt 57). Sub Not Used: Danny Draper, Toby Hilliard.

Referee: Ryan Williams                        Attendance: 1,512

Booked: Insall (41), Manning (44), Ezewele (76)

‘Tulleys Print’ HTFC Man of the Match selected by Ron Smart: McKauley Manning