Halesowen 4 King's Lynn 1
Two fine goals from Nick Wright helped Halesowen kick-start their season with a well deserved and comprehensive victory over title contenders King's Lynn.
Two fine goals from Nick Wright helped Halesowen kick-start their season with a well deserved and comprehensive victory over title contenders King's Lynn.
The visitors had recorded five straight wins but Halesowen created the better chances with Mark Warren and Mark Camm clearing early danger.
Lee Williams then played a delightful ball to Wright after 26 minutes but goalkeeper Scott Howie parried away.
Joe Francis volleyed wide at the far post for the Linnets and home goalkeeper James Dormand made an excellent 39th minute point-blank save from John Turner.
But Halesowen took a 43rd minute lead when Shane Paul stroked home from the penalty spot after Nick Amos was held back.
At the start of the second half, Jay Denny crossed to Liam McDonald but his header lacked power allowing Howie to save.
The Yeltz regretted the miss as King's Lynn equalised on 49 minutes, Danny Bloomfield heading just over the line despite Amos' attempts to clear.
The Yeltz regained the initiative with a second goal in the 62nd minute when another immaculate through-ball from Williams allowed Wright to out-pace two defenders and slot home through Howie's legs.
Hungry Halesowen made it 3-1 in the 70th minute when McDonald threaded the ball through for Wright to beat Howie from 10 yards and kill off the game.
The Yeltz added an emphatic fourth goal in injury time when McDonald planted a direct free-kick into the top corner from almost 30 yards.
Halesowen Town: Dormand; Platt, Hamilton, Pierpoint, Knight, Amos, Denny, Paul, Wright, Williams, McDonald. Subs: Farrell, Francis, O'Garro, Cooke.
King's Lynn: Howie; West, Chapman, Warren (Crane 76), C. Defty, Camm, Frew, Fleming, Turner (J. Defty 66), Bloomfield, Francis.
Subs: Fisk, Nolan, Murray.
Referee: L. Sinclair (Staffs)
Attendance: 369
