Halesowen Town 0, Stourbridge 1

TAKE no notice of the scoreline because Halesowen should have won this feisty friendly by a handsome margin, writes Nick Pullen.

Right from the fifth minute when Tom Tonks evaded a string of lightweight Stourbridge challenges to fire narrowly wide, Halesowen should have gone onto clock up an impressive goal tally.

Chief culprit in front of goal was Halesowen's ace marksman Ben Haseley who squandered some glorious chances of 'sitter' proportions.

Chris Lait was denied by a goal-line Leon Broadhurst clearence on 18 minutes.

A minute later Haseley was guilty of making the miss of the match.

Strike partner Kyle Brady got to the bye-line and crossed from the left for the unmarked Haseley to somehow head wide in front of an open goal, when it seemed harder to miss than score.

Haseley was at fault again on 36 minutes when he dithered in front of goal with only former Yeltz goalkeeper  Dean Coleman to beat after Brady had set him up on a plate, before getting disposessed.

It wasn't a surprise to see Stourbridge out early for the second half - possibly after a few home truths from manager Gary Hackett ringing in their ears.

It was second half Stourbridge substitute Will Richards that finally showed the way to goal with a well placed shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Paul Evans in the 70th minute.

However , that didn't stop Halesowen from chalking up numerous more missed chances.

Haseley had another effort bravely blocked by Coleman before substitute Nigel Penney followed up and saw his goalbound shot deflected wide for a corner.

In fact it took four successive corners before the ball went dead as the Stourbridge goalmouth started to resemble a scene from the Alemo!

There was still time for another of Halesowen's substitutes Matt Fullaway to have a header cleared off the line on 89 minutes while Stourbridge had their playmaker Sean Geddes booked following a late challenge, coupled with a bit of 'afters' with the referee.

  Obviously, pre-season friendlies count for absolutely nothing - but the game showed there's work to be done by both sides.

On a brighter note, the crowd of 326 was highly encouraging.

  Halesowen: Evans; Kristian Green, Meacham, McKenzie, Winsper, Kelly, Lait, Tonks, Brady, Haseley, Gueyes. Subs: Griffiths, Penney, Fulloway, Martin, Pearson.

Stourbridge: Coleman; Drake, Washbourne, Eze, Geddes, Nathan Bennett, Spray, Broadhurst, Benbow, Billingham, Fitzpatrick. Subs: Canavan, Richards, Oliver, Ward, Cresswell, Lloyd, Deards,  Ashley Green   Man of the match: Kristian Green and Adam Meacham?