Halesowen Town 1 Needham Market 1 - Report
Halesowen had to be content with a draw after a second-half goal from Lee Hughes was cancelled out by a wonder strike from Needham Market.
Manager John Hill was left with mixed feelings. "After taking a deserved lead, we had a great chance to make it 2-0 and wrap up the game. But, despite being disappointed not to take all three points, it's important to remember that we still remain unbeaten at home in the league."
Home captain Danny Bragoli's low shot was collected by visiting goalkeeper Jake Jessup after five minutes but the visitors soon settled and young home goalkeeper Cameron Gregory saved Gareth Heath's low shot after Luke Ingram flicked on with a 13th minute header.
New home loan signing Ravi Shamsi increasingly started to create danger late in the first half and he burst forward from midfield in the 34th minute, but his attempted chip was turned away for a corner. Two minutes later Shamsi played a great ball out to Jack Kelly on the wing and he in turn found James Roberts, only for Jessup to make a good save low down with the loose ball turned away for a corner from Lee Hughes. Jessup then kept out a low 20 yard drive from Kelly five minutes before the interval.
Needham play-maker Heath went close with a clever back flick at the start of the second half and Heath's long free-kick was pushed away by goalkeeper Gregory shortly afterwards.
Hughes gave Halesowen the lead in the 58th minute with a calm, controlled finish in front of a crowded goal from substitute Tobias Hayles-Docherty's right wing cross. The hosts then had their chances to secure the win with a second goal when Jessup saved with his legs from Roberts after 61 minutes and Hughes went close again by heading the resulting corner just wide.
Roberts was then set free to strike a golden chance over the bar in the 69th minute after Callum Sturgess lost the ball in midfield.
The Yeltz paid the price when the Marketmen found a 76th minute equaliser in spectacular style as substitute Reece Dobson flicked the ball up and volleyed home from 8 yards after Heath supplied the ball from the right. In the dying minutes Mills fired a good chance wide as Needham sniffed a winning second goal.
Teams
Halesowen Town: Gregory; Shelis, Kelly, Rea, Morris, Charlton, Lawton (Hayles-Docherty 46), Bragoli (c), Hughes (Goddard 80), Roberts, Shamsi. Subs Not Used: Lewis, Gilpin, Tonks.
Needham Market: Jessup; Dye, Sturgess, Squire, K. Morphew, D. Morphew, Kamanzi (Dobson 70), Heath (c), Ingram, Issa, Mills. Subs Not Used: McLaughlin, Woerndl, Munson, Shorten (GK).
