ASSISTANT manager Matt Clarke say Halesowen Town must bag a valuable victory from one of their next two home games.

The Yeltz will take on 19th-placed Whitby Town at home this Saturday (3pm kick-off) before welcoming 20th-placed Nantwich to the Grove a week later.

They remain second from bottom of the Northern Premier League and will have to hit back quickly after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Matlock Town last Saturday.

Clarke was unhappy with the performance at Matlock and admits his team has added extra pressure to the next two games.

He said: "I was disappointed. We were solid for 41 minutes but then had a little bit of a collapse.

"We had a spell of sloppy defending and conceded both goals. We've then huffed and puffed in the second half but were poor.

"It does put extra pressure on the next two games and we have to look to pick up at least four points from them now.

"No matter what you want to achieve in this league, be it promotion, play-offs or survival, you have to make the most of your home games.

"We picked up two decent draws at home but then followed it up with a really disappointing performance at Matlock.

"It means the onus is firmly on us in these next two games to go and pick up some points.

"Saturday is a very winnable game for us though. We have already shown we are capable of beating anyone on our day but we now need to do that against the lesser sides too.

"The players will be a little nervous because it's a big game but if we can be positive I don't see why we can't go and pick up the win."

The Yeltz will have to do that without seven-goal hitman Dan Udoh, who has now returned to parent club Crewe Alexandra after his loan spell ended.

Clarke is hopefully a new striker signing will get over the line before the weekend but also thinks former Shrewsbury and Stourbridge striker Ethan Jones could have a big part to play.

He added: "Hopefully Ethan can now get more game time. He has not played a lot of football and has had a few little niggles but he now comes into the mix.

"If we can also get another forward signed up then hopefully we can fill the gap left by Dan."

The Yeltz will be boosted this weekend with the return from suspension of experienced defender Asa Charlton.

Ivor Lawton, who had to be taken off at Matlock, should also be available and Jack Kelly is also edging closer to a return following hand surgery.