Halesowen withstand late Kettering pressure to secure opening day win

Russ Penn's side battled a late onslaught to secure a 2-1 victory, an identical result to the opening day of last season.

A spectacular first half from the Yeltz saw the side head in at half time two to the good after Reece Flanagan converted from the spot and a bit of brilliance from McKauley Manning.

Manning of whom was crowned man of the match for his dazzling display piercing through the poppies defense on numerous occasions all importantly after being picked out by Connor Tee before smashing the ball into the top left after Reece Flanagan opened the scoring.

Not much in terms of big chances for Russ Penn's side but that wasn't needed to gain the managers praise. "We scored two great goals, i thought we moved the ball up top well in the first half."

The away side, who made 12 signings in the summer to rebuild their squad with new manager Richard Lavery at the helm had their own chances in the first half but on almost all occasions fluffed their lines and wasted countless opportunities.

Tyree Wilson the most lively in their attacking play was sent through out wide, putting a cross in that Ryan Wynter deflected into Daniel Platt's gloves.

Shortly after Isiah Noel-Williams picked up the ball, twisting and turning in the box before a tame shot deflected into Platt. Aside neither threatened before the half to send the Yeltz into a 2-0 lead.

Halesowen failed to threaten on loan Derby teenager Jack Thompson in goal for Kettering in the second half and were on the back foot throughout and in particular struggled after the introduction of Dan Jarvis who got one back for the poppies from a corner.

The club dealt well after though, and hung on in the minutes of Kettering pressure in the five minutes of additional time, Devon Kelly-Evans fashioned a chance on the edge of the box forcing an outstretched save from Platt.

Minutes later Ben Hart swung in a ball cleared by Ryan Wollacott before the ball was put back in the box leading to a scramble and eventual clearance that greeted the full time whistle to successfully place revenge on Kettering after their 97th minute winner at the Grove in the meeting last December.

Yeltz boss, Russ Penn shared his delight at full time at the teams resilience to hold on to victory after the clubs poor record in late stages of matches last season that saw 12 goals go in the oppositions goal in the last 15 minutes of play in league games.

"We were resilient, defended magnificently today in particular the second half getting better as the match went on." It was a typical first game of the season, bit of a basketball match with a lot of quality and a lack of quality throughout, it could have been 5-5 but the win is the important thing and we now have chance to go top on Monday in Redditch.

Halesowen: Daniel Platt (GK), Ben Cassidy, Nat Kelly, Todd Parker, Ryan Wynter (C), Ryan Wollacott, Jak Hickman, Reece Flanagan (Kieren Donnelly 75'), Adi Yussuf (Ryan Boothe 75'), Connor Tee (Reece Mitchell 67'), McKauley Manning

Kettering: Jack Thompson (GK), Ben Hart (C), Aaron Powell (Harlain Mbayo 81'), Devon Kelly-Evans, Connor Johnson, Sidik Atcha, Andi Thanoj, Remaye Campbell (Wes York 62'), Tyree Wilson, Isiah Noel-Williams, Kai Fifield (Dan Jarvis 62')

Attendance - 1,216

Player of the match - McKauley Manning