Halesowen and Stourbridge prepare to lock horns in No.9 Derby with both eyeing the play-offs

The Yeltz sit sixth in the Southern Central Premier, one place from the play-offs, as they welcome their fierce rivals Stourbridge who are looking to cut the gap to the play-off spots.

Liam McDonald’s side have come out of a rough spell and picked up four wins in their last six league games to sit five points adrift from Halesowen who are winless in their last two having lost to Spalding United and drawn 2-2 with Alvechurch last weekend.

With lots to fight for, Yeltz boss Penn is looking forward to the spectacle, but urged his side to not switch off, at any moment. 

"We have got to stop giving sloppy goals away because we are scoring goals, we have the league’s top goal scorer and we have to be on it and switch on at all times.

"We switched off for 10-minutes against Alvechurch and ended up drawing, in a game that we nowhere near deserved to draw. But, we did and that is our fault.

"I think we can put Stourbridge to bed if we win the game. It could be a healthy lead of nearly 10 points between us and them, but if they win then it closes the gap.

"We have been a bit inconsistent since Christmas, we have picked up good results followed by a poor defeat, so we have got to show a bit of consistency now to get into those play-offs."

It ended honours even when the side’s met at the War Memorial Ground last November, and Halesowen will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s clash at The Grove when they ran out winners, albeit a slender 1-0 victory.

And, with their impressive home form so far this season, Penn looks forward to the home advantage. 

"Our home form is the second best in the league, we have been fantastic at home, and when you are getting more than 1,000 at home it is great,” he added. “It is what you want as a footballer and dream of as a kid.

"I would rather be at our place than at most places on Saturday.

"Both teams have a lot to play for still, we are six points off the top of the league and have games-in-hand and Stourbridge will see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel after a really good run.

"I think you would rather have something on it than just two mid-table teams looking for bragging rights. It is a lot more than just that. 

"There is a lot to play for, just like when we played them at their place in November which was a fantastic game.

"It’s the one to watch. I am hearing over 3,000 will be there so it will be a great occasion."

Elsewhere, in the National League North, seventh-placed Kidderminster Harriers host Spennymoor Town looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to strugglers Marine.

Meanwhile, Rushall Olympic, who sit five points adrift from safety, welcome Peterborough Sports.