Yeltz last trip a stalemate

The Yeltz had two early penalty shouts turned down before their goalkeeper Dan Platt made a good fifth minute save after Mickleover’s veteran striker Matthew Barnes-Homer turned on the edge of the penalty area. Andy Dales then headed just wide of Platt’s goal from Kevin Grocott’s 10th minute cross.

Barnes-Homer put another 25 yard effort over the bar and Morgan Williams – who has risen through Mickleover’s academy structure – headed Louis Briscoe’s free-kick over the bar midway through the first period.

Goal-shy Halesowen were restricted to just half-chances in the first period although substitute John Oyenuga, who replaced injured Kevin Monteiro, did well to earn a corner in the final minute of the first half. Roland Agbor, who was making a rare starting appearance for the Yeltz, shot just wide early in the second half and then forced a 63rd minute corner for the visitors. The better chances came late in the game with Williams heading along goal from the far post for the hosts. Oyenuga soon had a good opportunity for Halesowen but he was just beaten to the ball by home goalkeeper Lewis King in the 70th minute.

With both sides looking for an elusive late winner, Dales set up Barnes-Homer to fire wide of the Halesowen post in the 74th minute and Mickleover went closer still just two minutes later when substitute Pablo Mills crashed a header against the crossbar from Briscoe’s corner.

Ahmed Ali could’ve snatched all three points for Halesowen but he planted his shot into the side-netting after 81 minutes of a game that will not live long in the memory.

Maenwhile, Stourbridge take on Stafford Rangers in the Evo-Stik Premier tonight, while Hednesford Town host Nuneaton Town in the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup.