Halesowen Town 2 Grantham Town 1 - Report

The Northern Premier League visitors could have few complaints as the Yeltz showed extra flair and energy to create a string of good chances and it was only their goalkeeper Adnan Kanuric who kept the Northern Premier League in the game.

The initial minutes were even but the Yeltz soon took a stranglehold in an excellent display of attacking football. Josh Hawker touched a 25th minute free-kick for Ash Sammons to fire wide and James Bowen hit a long range effort at goalkeeper Kanuric a minute later.

Simeon Cobourne was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the post after he was set free by eager Hewitt in the 27th minute and Hawker unleashed a good shot to bring a flying save from Kanuric in the 31st minute. The Gingerbreads posed hardly any threat and busy, in-form Kanuric saved again from Hawker's close range header just seconds later.

The Yeltz were finally rewarded for their hard work when Cobourne squared the ball for Hewitt to advance into the area and smash home from the centre of the penalty area after 41 minutes.

There was no let up from Halesowen after the interval as they peppered the

Gingerbreads goal in an excellent team performance. Montel Gibson's curling goal-bound 50th minute shot was brilliantly clawed away by goalkeeper Kanuric and Bowen surged forward down the left to toe-poke wide after 56 minutes. But it was Kanuric who rescued the Gingerbreads with another fantastic save after 64 minutes from Gibson's header after Ash Sammons crossed.

Hewitt fired inches over the bar in the 68th minute and Sammons shot into the arms of Kanuric three minutes later. Although Halesowen earned three consecutive corners in the 77th minute, a richly deserved second goal remained stubbornly elusive.

But the Yeltz doubled their lead in the 85th minute when substitute Jamie Molyneux chased the ball down the left and squared for Hewitt to slot home with great composure. An 89th minute shot from substitute Luke Yates was then cleared off the line by substitute Charlie Ward.

The Gingerbreads found an unlikely consolation goal in the fifth minute of added time when substitute Francois Zoko tapped home from close range.

Teams

Halesowen Town: Bradley Catlow; Jamie Ashmore, James Bowen, Jordan Piggott, Paul McCone (c), Robert Evans, Ashley Sammons (Andrew Parsons 82), Josh Hawker, Montel Gibson (Jamie Molyneux 75), Simeon Cobourne (Luke Yates 66), Reece Hewitt. Subs Not Used: Lewis Wright, Robbie Bunn, McKauley Manning, Brendon Bunn (GK).

Grantham Town: Adnan Kanuric; Jacob Green, AJ Adelekan, Jack Broadhead (Francois Zoko HT), Rob Atkinson, Danny Racchi (c) (Charlie Ward 58), James Berrett, Andy Wright, Craig Westcarr, Remaye Campbell (Michael Tweed HT), Connor Bartle. Subs Not Used: Jack McGovern, Adam Smith.