Boss warns against slow start (From Halesowen News)

Boss warns against slow start

2:00pm Thursday 21st January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Halesowen Town boss Matt Clarke says his side must hit the ground running when they host league leaders Farnborough this Saturday (3pm).

Boro are flying after recording back-to-back wins and opening up a 14 point gap at the top, while the Yeltz have not played since Boxing Day.

The game is effectively an unofficial top-of-the-table clash as Town would sit second without the ten point penalty for entering administration.

Clarke admits his side have been guilty of some lethargic first half displays this term and says they cannot afford the luxury against such high class opposition.

He said: “We simply can’t afford to start off like we have against other teams this season.

“We have got to be right from the start or they will steamroller us.

“In other games we have been able to fight our way back into the game but it will be too late if we do that on Saturday.”

The Yeltz were beaten 3-1 at Farnborough in September after a sluggish start saw them two goals down early on.

But they were able to put the Hampshire side under severe pressure after Stefan Moore pulled a goal back and Clarke believes his side have come a long way since that defeat.

He said: “I think they are the best team in the league by far.

“I don’t like to go on about budgets but they are a massive club for this division and have some quality players. They will be coming to Halesowen to beat us.

“But we have changed a lot since we first faced them.

“There are four or five different players in the starting line-up and I believe we are a better team now.

“We are under no illusions how hard this game will be but I have no doubt we will compete.”

The Yeltz will be without skipper Jay Denny who is serving a one match suspension, while Liam Daly and Carl Palmer should feature, though both have knocks.

Clarke’s squad has been boosted by the return of midfielder Danny Edwards from AFC Telford on another month’s loan, though West Brom’s Josh Knight has turned down the opportunity of a stint at the Grove.

The manager revealed Edwards, who was man-of-the-match in the Boxing Day win over Stourbridge, has a slight injury and is battling to be fit to Saturday’s game.

He said: “It’s great to have Danny back, we are working 24/7 to have him fit for Farnborough because it will be a big loss if he can’t play.”

After Farnborough the Yeltz host Clevedon Town in a rearranged fixture on Tuesday evening.

For a full report on both games visit halesowennews.co.uk/sport

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)