Late drama sees Yeltz win seven goal thriller

TEN men Halesowen showed their never-say-die spirit to force a late winner at The Grove.

An injury-time own goal from defender Muhammed Sabo saw the Yeltz come out on top of a thrilling contest with visitors Matlock Town today.

John Hill's men had to dig deep in a pulsating game that swung one way and then the other as both teams took it in turns to be on top.

It was Halesowen that started the better and they took a deserved lead after just six minutes when Joe Hull vollied home at close range after a miscued clearance following a Aaron Griffiths corner.

At that stage The Yeltz looked well in control and Matlock well out of attacking ideas.

They did begin to settle into the contest after 20 minutes and worked a few openings without testing Matt Sargeant in the home goal.

Their best chance fell to Phil Roe on 30 minutes after forward Joe Leesley collected well and played him the ball on the edge of the box. His rising shot sailed harmlessly past Sargeant's post but highlighted how well they had reacted since going behind.

A big turning point in the game came on 35 minutes when Yeltz forward Aaron Daniels was given his marching orders.

It appeared the pacey front man swung an arm at defender Adam Yates as the pair came together as Sargeant looked to play a long ball in behind the Matlock back line.

The referee had no hesitation sending off Daniels once he'd consulted with his linesman.

From being in control and a goal to the good, Hales suddenly had a hard task on their hands.

Matlock wasted no time taking advantage of their extra man and drew level with a stunning strike from James Ashmore on 43 minutes.

He ran on to a Curtis Tilt clearing header a struck the ball from 25 yards out into the top corner to give Sargeant no chance.

Then, just two minutes later, Matlock were handed the opportunity to take a lead into the break after winning a penalty right on the stroke of half time.

Sargeant charged to the edge of his area in an attempt to punch the ball away from Leesley.

The forward, however, got to the ball first with his head and went down under the challenge.

The ref pointed to the spot and Ashmore stepped up to make no mistakes for his and Matlock's second.

Like the first half, Halesowen again came out with real purpose in the second period.

Despite being forced to chase the game with ten men, it was the home side that applied the pressure.

It only took until the 49th minute for Ben Haseley to restore parity.

A clever low ball down the side of a sleeping Matlock defence by Aaron Forde got Haseley in.

He slotted under the advancing Jon Kennedy to make it 2-2.

Both team continued to go in search of more goals but it would be the Yeltz that got the next.

Aaron Griffiths latched onto the ball after it was only half cleared to the edge of the box and saw his half-volley deflected past the helpless Kennedy.

Matlock then missed the chance to level things up once more when Sabo failed to keep down a header from a corner put in by substitute Jason Stokes.

With just over five minutes left on the clock, Hales dropped deep as they looked to hold out for the points.

Soon after, the visitors made it 3-3 when Stokes headed in at the far post after being picked out by Phil Roe.

However, their was still time for late drama.

Failing to accept their fate, Hales piled forward looking for the winner.

A host of corners led to a throw in deep into Matlock territory as the clock reached 90 minutes.

A Tom Tonks' long throw was flicked on by Hull and met by Curtis Tilt arriving at the corner of the box. His left footed drive hit the post and went in off Sabo as he failed to adjust his feet in time to prevent Hales taking all three points.

After the game was opened up by Daniels' red card it ultimately epitomised what John Hill's Halesowen are all about.

Despite playing most of the match with a player less, being pegged back at the break and then conceding late on, they still found a way to win.

Halesowen: Sargeant, Green, Griffiths, Forde, Hull (c), Tilt, Charlton, Tonks, Daniels, Haseley (Thompson-Brown 73), Bragoli (Turner 45).

Unused subs: Kettle, Christie, Pearson.

Matlock: Kennedy, Humble, Radford (Stokes 61), Neednam, Sabo, Yates, Harcourt (c), Ashmore, Leesley, Gregory, Roe.

Unused subs: Holland, Foster.

Att: 375.

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