| I'm trying to resist writing this match report without using the words show, the, Mayor's, after and Lords, but it is rather difficult! |
| Halesowen came to Meadow Park looking to bounce back from Saturdays disappointing defeat away at Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup, City on the other hand would always struggle to match the performance that saw off the challenge of Chippenham Town. |
| Despite having both Lee Jeffries and Keith Knight doubtful to start after picking up knocks in the cup game, both did and the only alteration to the starting line up was Tom Webb for Chris Burns. Halesowen fielded a strong side including former Cheltenham skipper Neil Smith and ex-City front runners David Holmes and Mark Hallam. Holmes, on loan from Worcester started the game but Hallam remained an unused substitute. |
| City started brightly, attacking the T-End and a committed run by Chris Thompson deserved better but his cut back from the touchline found no-one and was easily cleared. Thommo then had a chance when he met a cross from Lee Smith but was always under it and headed over the bar. Matt Bath was called into action for the first time of many on the Yeltz's first attack. He got down low to prevent the striker going around him and claimed the ball. |
| The Tigers opened the scoring after just ten minutes from a corner won by Andy Hoskins after he pressured a defender into putting the ball behind. Former Halesowen player Keith Knight swung in a cross and it was flapped out to Lee Smith by the keeper. Lee headed it goalwards, Lee Jeffries flicked it on but it was kicked back out to Smith on the penalty spot, he volleyed it back in and it was cleared on the line, but the linesman flagged to indicate that it was over. It seemed a generous call but we'll take it! |
| City's goal continued to lead a charmed life as a Halesowen free kick looked as though it had been headed in (from the T-End) but it was in fact cleared. Smith then had a great chance to double his tally but he wasn't quick enough to the defenders flick and the keeper dived at his feet to gather the ball. |
| It was 2-0 to the Tigers after 25 minutes thanks to another nice run from wing back Thompson. He cut inside the defence and freed up Jimmy Cox wide on the left hand side of the penalty area, despite looking borderline offside he headed towards goal and shot weakly through the legs of Matt Lowe, the hapless goalkeeper. |
| It could've been three straight after when Cox cut in from the opposite side, but the striker shot straight at the keeper instead of picking out Neil Mustoe's unmarked run at the far post. For a brief period City dominated and from another corner Neil Griffiths headed just wide of the post. |
| After City's little purple patch the Birmingham side took control for a period before the interval. First a free kick was cleared out to the edge of the box, then the rebound was fired inches wide. Bath was in the right place at the right time to block a certain goal, the striker had to shoot either side of the keeper but blasted straight at him instead. Then a centre hit the crossbar and bounced away to safety. Our goal led a charmed life! |
| Lee Smith became the first player to get booked just before half time, somewhat harshly I thought when he collided with a defender, although I suspect that the referee thought that he'd denied him a clear run into space on the left wing. With little more than a minute until the break Steve Jenkins limped off and was replaced by Dave Wilkinson. |
| How we kept a clean sheet at half time is beyond me as again Halesowen had another free shot on goal, and again Bath produced heroics to deny them. It would be unfair to say that we weren't playing well but on another day we could've easily been losing. |
| The second half was all Halesowen. I counted thirteen good chances (I make a note on each opportunity at either end of the ground) and City had just four, none of which produced a shot on goal. With their tails up the Yeltz carried on where they'd left off after the break. Early pressure won them a corner and after it wasn't cleared, they shot over the bar. |
| Considering it may have been billed as a battle of the top scorers, with Halesowen's Jason Ashby and Andy Hoskins both playing, Hosk only had one chance, from Thommo's cross and could only head weakly at the keeper. Ashby, later in the game would prove to be the winner in this battle. |
| A long goal kick was flicked on by Hosky to Jimmy Cox, who beat the defender and was bundled over as he was about to shoot. The referee pointed to the spot but the excitement was killed as Hosk was offside for the original header. From having a chance to go three up, it became 2-1 when Ashby slid in at the far post to add to his impressive tally. |
| The Halesowen onslaught continued with very little being created by City. This cleary had Burnsy unsettled as he replaced Knight and Thompson with himself and Adie Harris. The extra experience might've helped out on another occasion but tonight it seemed that the Brummies were that much in control of the game that they wouldn't lose their grip. |
| With just eight minutes remaining, a shot from wide on the right was palmed upwards (and goalwards) by Matt Bath and under pressure from an attacker Lee Jeffries headed into his own net. It was the least that Halesowen had deserved but still a great disappointment for the City fans. |
| The opposition continued to attack and could've easily won the game. Neil Mustoe became the second Tiger booked for a crude tackle on the halfway line and it was a relief when the ref blew the final whistle. This was certainly a case of a point gained rather than two lost, despite being 2-0 up and Halesowen did look very good on the night. |
| Alarmingly, City are now third from bottom! |
