JOHN Hill insists patience is the key as Halesowen work hard to progress this season.

The Yeltz suffered back-to-back defeats when beaten 2-0 at early pacesetters Kettering last Saturday.

They have now won one and lost two of their opening three fixtures in the newly-formed Southern League Central.

However, the manager at the Grove believes his players have shown some encouraging signs as they continue to find their feet.

He said: "We need to be patient at this stage of the season while the squad still gets to grips with playing with each other.

"As a management team and as players we can do that. There are always fans that expect more but everyone needs to be patient.

"We've struggled in recent seasons and there were big changes at the club over the summer. We'd all love to hit the ground running but Rome wasn't built in a day.

"I have no doubt that we will get there. We just need to improve a few areas and get the balance of the team right."

On the Kettering game, he added: "They were pre-season favourites to win the league and the start of the season hasn't changed that.

"They're a good side with some big players and it was a tough ask for us.

"But we were always in the game and created the first chances, so there were a lot of positives for us to take.

"Lee Hughes should probably have given us the lead and James Roberts could have equalised. Hopefully we can take confidence from that and it gives us a platform to build on."

Halesowen now face another tough weekend as they welcome fourth-placed Biggleswade Town on Saturday (3pm) ahead of Tuesday night's derby clash at third-placed Stourbridge (7.45pm).

Hill said: "We will be fully focused on Saturday but once that is out of the way the derby game is one for everyone to look forward to.

"It's a great game for the fans and the area. We have done well there of late but they will be the big favourites to win it this time. Hopefully we can build on our recent performances and go there and give a good account of ourselves again."

Hill has no major injury worries except for the absence of Tom Warmer with a hamstring injury.