Danny Bragoli off as slow-starting Halesowen Town are beaten once again
Halesowen Town slumped to a fifth defeat in six Evo-Stik Premier games after conceding goals at the start of each half in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Sutton Coldfield Town.
The hosts made a dreadful start when Aaron Birch exposed their defensive frailty by smashing past goalkeeper Dan Platt down the centre in the second minute.
It could have been worse for Yeltz, but Nathaniel Kelly’s header was cleared off the line from a sixth-minute Sutton corner.
As the game became more even, Luke Shearer’s 20th-minute effort was hacked clear by the Royals’ defence and Asa Charlton headed just wide after Lee Chilton floated over a free-kick two minutes later.
But matters worsened for Halesowen when Danny Bragoli was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on James Beresford on the stroke of half-time.
The Royals soon wrapped up the game with a second goal when substitute Niall Flint’s shot was parried away by Platt into the path of Malachi Lavell-Moore, who was on hand to slot home in the 54th minute.
Zac Martin almost added a third goal but his shot on the turn hit the underside of the bar and Platt saved the day with a good 75th-minute block from Gurjit Singh after Kyle Morrison gave the ball away.
Roland Agbor and Shearer battled bravely up front for the 10-man Yeltz, but the hosts lacked the quality and confidence to cause any real danger.
The result leaves Halesowen second-bottom of the Premier Division table.
