Barwell

[juanillo]

On the balance of play we probably didn't merit the win, but the goal itself deserved to win a game.

When Platt booted the ball out near the end I'm guessing he was thinking of holding on to the draw and they dominated possession in the second half. However, we stood up to it well and played quite fluidly at times and the improved pitch helped to improve the overall spectacle.

[dalevillain]

Echo the comments on here already really. Cracking game which was played at a high tempo and pretty end to end.

I think we just about shaded the first half. Played some really good stuff but were lacking a bit of quality in terms of finishing.

The goal at the end in the second half was a superb ending to win the game. Great turn past the last defender, great through ball to Shearer to finish - will look forward to seeing that back on Yeltz TV.

Might have been slightly harsh on Barwell who probably were the better of the teams in the second half.

Think a draw would have been fair but we could have lost it before then and think we would have done last year.

Great start to the home campaign and as mentioned the pitch really does help to make it a better spectacle.

Positive signs - let's hope it lasts!

[DJ]

Evo-Stik League Premier Division – Tuesday, 15th August 2017

Halesowen Town 1 Barwell 0

Luke Shearer snatched a last-gasp victory for Halesowen with his home debut goal in the final seconds of added time.

Prior to the kick-off a minute’s applause was held in remembrance of long-time and legendary supporter Dot Harrold, who passed away on August 2nd, aged 74.

In the opening stages Shearer fired into the side-netting in the 5th minute and James Spray put the ball across goal for Joseph Howell to slice wide on the stretch after 20 minutes. As Barwell settled into the game, Tom Bates struck wide after the Yeltz defence only partly cleared a right-wing corner. Visiting goalkeeper Liam Castle plucked out Howell’s 38th minute free-kick from the left but before the interval Barwell went close as Eddie Nisevic headed over the Yeltz bar and home goalkeeper Dan Platt saved low down from early substitute Ryan Baldwin.

The Canaries began to gain the upper hand after the break and Jacob Whitmore crossed for Lee Hildreth to head wide after 52 minutes. Platt then clung onto Nisevic’s shot from the left, Matthew Stenson nodded a Bates corner wide and Hildreth dragged a 67th minute low drive just wide from long range as the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession without creating too much real danger. In the latter stages Platt did well to turn away substitute Owen Story’s poked shot for a 79th minute corner after the substitute had weaved through the home defence and Platt saved again low down after substitute Ryan Seal advanced down the right just three minutes later.

The game looked certain to end in stalemate after an 85th minute effort from Shearer was saved by Castle and Jordan Goddard blasted a loose ball over the bar a minute later. But in the dramatic finale, substitute Roland Agbor played a terrific dummy in midfield to set himself free and he sent a forward pass for Shearer to slot past goalkeeper Castle with barely thirty seconds of the three minutes of stoppage time remaining.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Jack Alexander, Jack Kelly, Jordan Goddard, Bradley Lewis, Asa Charlton (c), Joseph Howell, Alexander Woodhouse (Roland Agbor 67), Luke Shearer, Benjamin Clarke (Nathan Walker 61), James Spray (Cameron Steele 84). Subs Not Used: Kyle Morrison, Lee Chilton.

Barwell: Liam Castle; Liam Kay, Edward Nisevic, Declan Towers (Owen Story 32), Craig Stanley (c), Nigel Julien, Lee Hildreth, Jacob Whitmore, Matthew Stenson (Ryan Seal 71), Tom Bates, Ryan Robbins (Ryan Baldwin 10). Subs Not Used: Ethan Delaney, Michael Turner.

Referee: Richard Gardner Attendance: 345
Booked: Baldwin (36), Howell (87), Platt (89)
‘Tulleys Print’ HTFC Man of the Match selected by June Jameson: Bradley Lewis

[AwayDayYeltz]

First half was brighter than the second. Magic moment from Agbor to win it. And it was late. Very very late.

I will say this now- there's some quality in this squad. We may need some fine tuning as I think the tactics went a bit wayward late on, and decision making could have been slightly better across everyone. But I imagine that sharpness will improve and we could do really well this campaign.

Can you elaborate on the 'tactics went a bit wayward'.

[AwayDayYeltz]

Echo the comments on here already really. Cracking game which was played at a high tempo and pretty end to end.

I think we just about shaded the first half. Played some really good stuff but were lacking a bit of quality in terms of finishing.

The goal at the end in the second half was a superb ending to win the game. Great turn past the last defender, great through ball to Shearer to finish - will look forward to seeing that back on Yeltz TV.

Might have been slightly harsh on Barwell who probably were the better of the teams in the second half.

Think a draw would have been fair but we could have lost it before then and think we would have done last year.

Great start to the home campaign and as mentioned the p*t*h really does help to make it a better spectacle.

Positive signs - let's hope it lasts!

Pleasing to hear that the pitch is making a difference and again many folks are praising the football - this makes me want to watch the next away game. I hope the pitch holds up through the winter when the games come thick and fast - that will be the real test. Have we got any other teams playing at the Grove this season?

It goes without saying it's good to see we've won, but without sounding negative, it's a game you'd earmark as three points before the season. But as the cliche goes, you can only beat what's in front of you - no matter how late.

On a side note, how long before Shearer signs for Stourbr*dge?

[yeltz85]

Early days I know but all stats now updated on Yeltzarchives,

Fixtures and Results

Attendances

League Table

Player Statistics

John Hill Statistics

If anyone would like to see anything else then please let me know.

[andy]

It was just so refreshing to see us trying to pass the ball around and looking for players instead of hit and hope. It didn't always come off but were not Barcelona. It matters not though to me because we are not playing Real Madrid.
We beat a good side last night who gave us quite a lot of problems but we rode our luck. Platty pulled off some good saves, then we hit them with a belter. I enjoyed it. If we get hit for 5 occasionally by a better team, but were trying to play good football then so be it. It will be worth it in the long run to watch a more enjoyable brand of football. Bring on CELTIC. Farsley Celtic that is.......

[andy]

First half was brighter than the second. Magic moment from Agbor to win it. And it was late. Very very late.

I will say this now- there's some quality in this squad. We may need some fine tuning as I think the tactics went a bit wayward late on, and decision making could have been slightly better across everyone. But I imagine that sharpness will improve and we could do really well this campaign.

Can you elaborate on the 'tactics went a bit wayward'.

If I may jump in on that one, being really picky I would say making the 3 substitutions didn't help. We lost our rhythm after that and were put under quite a bit of pressure. But as I say that's being picky really as we did well overall and got the 3 points in the end. And it was one of the subs who brilliantly set up the goal.

[crezza94]

First half was brighter than the second. Magic moment from Agbor to win it. And it was late. Very very late.

I will say this now- there's some quality in this squad. We may need some fine tuning as I think the tactics went a bit wayward late on, and decision making could have been slightly better across everyone. But I imagine that sharpness will improve and we could do really well this campaign.

Can you elaborate on the 'tactics went a bit wayward'.

If I may jump in on that one, being really picky I would say making the 3 substitutions didn't help. We lost our rhythm after that and were put under quite a bit of pressure. But as I say that's being picky really as we did well overall and got the 3 points in the end. And it was one of the subs who brilliantly set up the goal.

Indeed lost our way second half, cut open and calved through the middle of the park. Before switching to 3 up top, Shearer was playing far to far away from Spray trying to win the first ball. Think a draw a fair result but a wins a win, how many times have we been the wrong end of a last minute goal.

[JayTwiggy]

First visit to the grove since the works been done and have to say it's a big improvement. The pitch looked a great surface to play on.

I thought Barwell looked like a good side last night and if not for Platt and solid defending we could easily have let this game slip, which I think last season we would have. But the lads stuck at it and thankfully when the long ball to Spray wasn't working, switched it up and started playing it on the deck. Agbor completely changed the game when he came on, had that pace we were lacking and created the space for Shearer.

Really enjoyed it last night and as everyone else has said it's great to see a much more entertaining style of football and players giving it their all.

I would like to see us play with the formation we ended with though, opened the game right up.