Coalville 0, Halesowen Town 1

HALESOWEN Town replaced title rivals Coalville at the top of the table after beating them last night.

The Yeltz were the more threatening side in the opening stages, as Neil Mackenzie’s deflected shot was just tipped over the bar by Coalville keeper Sean Bowles, and Bowles was to the rescue again as he managed to hold the ball after Curtis Tilt’s powerful header flew toward his goal.

Halesowen kept pressing and Neil Mackenzie looked determined to get on the scoresheet, as Iyseden Christie’s headed the ball towards Mackenzie whose forceful attempt was cleared off the line by Bowles’ feet. Coalville had their chances too, as Callum Woodward’s effort 12 yards out just flew inches over the bar.

Iyseden Christie was then gifted a chance in the Coalville penalty area, but the opportunity went to waste, as his attempted finesse shot flew high over the bar.

But Christie made up for that mistake as a long throw from Tom Tonks flew right onto Christie’s head and he directed the ball past Sean Bowles and into the bottom left corner of the net to give the Yeltz the lead and, at the moment, the top spot in the division.

Coalville suddenly sparked into life after 35 minutes as Anthony Carney had an opportunity from 15 yards out as he lost his marker in the box, but his shot swerved left off the goal and out. Ben Saunders nearly grabbed a goal for the Ravens in the closing stages of the first half, as his goal-bound effort was parried away by Matt Sargeant.

Coalville were more threatening in the second half and their search for the equaliser started with Jordan Hempenstall gathering the ball inside the penalty area and hitting a shot that flew just over the bar. Hempenstall had another opportunity just minutes later as his header from six yards out bounced off the crossbar and back into play.

Coalville started to get chance after chance, as Danny Jenno’s free kick was well saved by Sargeant, and Ben Saunders found space six yards from goal, but Sargeant denied them again.

Halesowen then started up again, after a quiet second half, as Neil Mackenzie found space on the edge of the 18 yard box, but he blasted the ball over the bar.

Coalville’s Ben Saunders then missed the opportunity of the game, as he had space inside the six yard box, but the pressure got to him as he blasted the ball over the bar.

Coalville had one last chance in the dying moments of the game, as Cam Stewart’s free kick rebounded off the bar and out of play.

Halesowen held on for a vital three points over title rivals Coalville and Halesowen take the top spot once again and are now three points clear of the Ravens.

Attendance: 316.