Hill admits squad concern ahead of festive fixtures (From Halesowen News)

Hill admits squad concern ahead of festive fixtures

6:01pm Wednesday 19th December 2012 in Sport

JOHN Hill admits the size of Halesowen Town’s squad is a concern heading into the festive period.

The Yeltz begin a run of five games in two weeks when they host Carlton Town on Saturday, before heading to Sutton Coldfield Town on Boxing Day (both 3pm).

And while the Grove treatment room may be relatively quiet at present, Hill admits the pressures of frequent fixtures could take its toll.

He said: “The festive period is always important with the games coming thick and fast.

“In many ways it can define your season.

“We have some difficult games against the likes of Coalville and Chasetown and the one thing which does concern me is we are a small squad.

“We have no reserve side and the youth team is only in its first year. It’s difficult to pick up points with a small squad when the games are so close together.”

Hill was given a boost by the return of striker Luke Corbett in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Mickleover Sports following a lengthy lay-off, though both Nathanial Caines and Gavin Winsper picked up knocks which could make them a doubt for Saturday.

Ben Haseley scored twice, taking his goal tally for the season to 23 but it was not enough to prevent the Yeltz slipping to defeat at the managerless Sports.

Hill admitted his side’s erratic form is beginning to become and irritation.

He said: “The strange results in this league do not surprise me but the performances do. We were below par at Mickleover and you should not be getting the contrasts in performance we are.

“It’s frustrating because we played very well against Market Drayton the week before but then go and put in a display like that. We are a much better team than we showed.

“Every time we seem to have turned the corner something crops up to set us back.”

Admission price for children aged under 16 has been slashed to £1 for the Carlton game.