JWMatchlookingahead HALESOWENTOWN-APREVIOUS MEETING

After balmy first half weather the restart was in torrential rain which got harder and more persistent as the half progressed. It made the close passing game of St Neots very difficult to maintain and the home side scenting a chance pressed forward. For a spell they dominated the game with a Haseley shot rebounding from a post in their first attack after half time. Haseley then shot wide when well placed and defender Joe Hull up for a corner brought another important save from Conroy.Halesowen brought on Aaron Griffiths an additional attacker and his first touch was a deflected shot brilliantly tipped over the bar by Conroy who looked to be going the wrong way for the original shot. A goal during this spell of pressure could have altered the course of the match but St Neots produced the perfect answer as Hilliard’s fifty yards cross field pass on the break found Ed Adjei on the left and he neatly passed his marker before beating Evans with a low shot after 79 minutes. With ten minutes left St Neots seemed to relax and Halesowen deservedly snatched a late consolation goal when Hull headed firmly home from an Elliott Turner corner with just four minutes remaining.

St Neots: Conroy, Deeney, Dhillon, Ann, Hoyte, Hibbert, Hilliard, Sear, Woolley, Adjei, Davie

Subs: Ford (for Hibbert 74 mins), Hurst (for Davies 80 mins), N’Guessan (for Hilliard 84 mins), Crowie and Taylor.

Cards: none

Goals: Deeney (24 mins), Woolley (39 mins), Adjei (79 mins)

Halesowen: Evans, Green, Meacham, MacKenzie, Hull, Tilt, Martin, Tonks, Christie, Haseley, Turner

Subs: Penny (for Christie 39 mins), Gueyes (for MacKenzie 46 mins), Griffiths (for Meacham 64 mins), Kelly and Pearson.

Cards: Turner (Y – 27)

Goals: Hull (86 mins)

Attendance: 273

Referee: Ollie Yates (Stoke-on-Trent))

John Walker