Russ Penn disappointed with the performance but delighted with result in 1-0 victory

Russ Penn shared displeasure despite his sides 80th minute winner calling the team’s performance ‘disappointing’.

Penn said, “It wasn’t pretty, I’m disappointed with the performance but delighted with the result obviously.

“The cohesion wasn’t there, as it has been but what we did do was keep the door shut, we were gritty and defended well and scored from a set piece which is great.

“To come of the back of a tough game against Leamington and get a home victory is great, we know it wasn’t good but at this stage of the season it is all about the points.”

The victory came thanks to a Luke Redfern header from a corner ten minutes before the 90 despite a lacklustre game from the home side.

The game started with a Ryan Boothe low cross into the box that to his frustration nobody was on the end to meet and a McKauley Manning shot from outside the box going just wide of the target.

A 19th minute Alvechurch counter from captain Joshua Dugmore eventually getting cut out by Todd Parker with Thomas Taylor clearing the ball away from any danger.

Despite a dazzling run into the box from Dylan Allen-Hadley for the away side and Jaanai Gordon being sent through on goal for the away side the chance of the half when to Halesowen’s Miracle Okafor following a cross from Manning that was spectacularly saved by the keeper Ronnie Hollingshead with his feet keeping the game goalless at half time.

A lacklustre second half saw a scarce number of opportunities with all of them going to the away side who did put the ball in the net after Hadley crossed to Gordon only to see the linesman’s flag was raised.

Russ Penn turned to the bench three times Elliot, Mitchell and Donnelly all coming on before the 80th minute of which saw the Luke Redfern’s deadlock breaking goal as he rose highest to head home from close range giving Hollingshead no chance.

The goal sucked the life out of Alvechurch who despite looking on top before the goal seemed to lose all momentum and rhythm as the game led into the 90 with the home side looking comfortable and on track for a sixth home clean sheet of the season.

Raucous celebrations met the final whistle despite the game marking the end of the club’s playoff push after Stratford Towns victory leaves the club out of the race mathematically.

Halesowen: Daniel Platt (GK), (C), Luke Redfern, Ryan Wynter, Thomas Taylor, McKauley Manning, Todd Parker, Jak Hickman (Donnelly 62'), Kai Lissimore, Miracle Okafor, Jack Holmes (Elliot 52'), Ryan Boothe (Mitchell 75')

Alvechurch: Ronnie Hollingshead (GK), Joshua Dugmore (C) (Batchelor 86'), Ammar Dyer, Dylan Mitchell, Yaw Nantwi-Ofosu, Dylan Allen-Hadley (Reka 79'), Jaanai Gordon, Nicholas Clayton-Phillips, Finley Thorndike, Kartell Dawkins, Archie Crowther

Unused Subs: (Halesowen) Richard Gregory, Will Harris, Nathan Hayward; (Alvechurch) Ethan Patterson, Jack Hallahan, Ethan Young

Man of the match - Thomas Taylor

Attendance - 1,084