Lacklustre Halesowen fall to shock defeat to newly promoted Bedford Town

After a win and a two all draw to start the season, the Yeltz fell to an uncharacteristic 4-1 demolition at the hands of Bedford Town at The Grove.

Attempting to put the dissapointment of the last minute equaliser against Redditch midweek Russ Penn's side were sloppy throughout and looked a shadow of the team who raced to a 2-0 lead inside the first half against Kettering Town last weekend to record their heaviest defeat since Penn took charge and the first time they have conceded four in a game since November last year.

Leon Lobjoit and Ryan Blake the stars for Bedford both bagging braces and causing problems for Halesowen's defenders throughout in a game that saw the defensive line breached on multiple occasions and saw the team lose countless aerial duels to Penn's frustration.

"We didn't look organised, we lacked cohesion, legs and energy, we looked open and lacked leadership all over the pitch and all confidence.

"We were miles off it, which really surprised me, i didnt see this coming, we've got to take the blame, including me and use the negatives to fuel us for the next games."

Lobjoit opened the scoring inside just three minutes following on from his goal from the spot midweek agains be it controversially after what looked to be a handball after he twisted and turned in the box before smashing home from close range.

The goal seemed to devoid the home side of any confidence and were dispossessed and gave up possession multiple times, allowing the away side to almost double the lead after an overhit pass to Nat Kelly saw a long throw cause chaos in the box, Platt failing to grasp the ball allowed Lewis Green to bundle it in but for the flag to be raised.

Bedford finally doubled the lead through Ryan Blake after a through ball from midfield allowed him to drive it home across Platt from close range.

Starting without a number nine and no vocal point up top at times caused the Yeltz attack to have a misery of a first half and made opposition goalkeeper Oliver Bosworth a spectator throughout, a Manning volley from a Mitchell cross and a 35 yard shot from a corner from first half sub Ben Cassidy the only chances the side could conjure up.

The half prompted the Yeltz boss to make half time sub with Adi Yussuf coming on for Reece Mitchell, a change that seemed to turn the game on its head temporarily, Yussuf getting the goal to get Halesowen back in the game after he met Conor Tee's teasing cross inside the first ten minutes of the half.

It what seemed to be a comeback brewing, Halesowen failed to take advantage of the momentum that was building and fell two behind a second time after Lobjoit got his second following Kelly giving away a cheap ball that Bedford handled clinically, working it down the right before Lobjoit's shot ricocheted off the post and in.

The lack of attacking options was clear to see, Ryan Boothe failed to make an impact after coming on and a lack of quality service to Yussuf baring crosses and long balls against what was a masterclass of aerial performance from the oppposition into the box haulted the teams chances of finding an equaliser at 2-1 and attempting a fight back at 3-1 and making failing an impact in the 12 minutes of added on time across the first and second half.

Lobjoit almost getting a hattrick for the Eagles after being set up by summer signing Connor Tomlinson who showed his quality after a remarkable end to the season with old club Corby Town towards the end of last season ten minutes before full time prior to the away side adding a fourth after Blake fired past Platt to put the game beyond doubt and inflict a first defeat in seven for Penn's side.

Adding to the clubs misery, it was confirmed McKauley Manning after a bright start to the season after his goal last weekend will miss the game against St Ives next weekend on top of the first half injury to Reece Flanagan.

"We have to reflect on what has been a tough week, what started on a high with the four points against Kettering and Redditch and ended with a defeat and injury for Reece who's gone to hospital and could be out for a while with what looks to be a dislocation and with the suspension (Manning)."

Halesowen: Daniel Platt (GK), Jak Hickman, Reece Mitchell (Adi Yussuf 45'), Ryan Wollacott, Ryan Wynter (C), Nat Kelly, Todd Parker (Ryan Boothe 77'), Reece Flanagan (Ben Cassidy 30'), Kieren Donnelly, Conor Tee, McKauley Manning

Bedford: Oliver Bosworth (GK), Lewis Green, Sam Brown, Rob Howard, Carl Mensah, Kyle Connolly (Zaide Took-Oxley 64'), Elliot Simmons, Robert Hall (Connor Tomlinson 73'), Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo, Leon Lobjoit (Josh Boorn 89'), Ryan Blake

Attendance - 902

Player of the match - Conor Tee