Russ Penn gives credit to 'fantastic' individual performances in seven goal thriller

Yeltz boss Russ Penn was thrilled with the performance from his side as the club broke their goalscoring duck by winning seven goal thriller against St Ives Town.

Penn has been critical over recent weeks at the lack of goalscoring an attacking play from the side since he took charge, however a 4-3 win was just what the team needed to break their duck in front of goal.

The Yeltz boss stating "I thought that was our best attacking performance since I've been here, the frontline and midfield were so energetic.

"Defensively however as a team, not just the back line we weren't quite on it today.

Despite this he did give credit to the away side on their goalscoring abilities saying "We've mentioned all week how high scoring St Ives games are, that was their 90th goal today."

Halesowen started the game brilliantly coming out of the traps on the front foot with Kieren Donnelly through on goal hitting a shot just wide of the post inside five minutes. McKauley Manning latched onto the ball and placed a beautiful shot to the bottom left corner after just eight minutes to break the deadlock early on.

St Ives were forced into an early first half sub as Myles Cowling was brought on for Dan Barton. Kai Lissimore should have made it two after smashing the ball over the bar from five yards following brilliant work from Manning and Donnelly to create the chance.

Two goals in two minutes from the leagues top scorers shocked Halesowen, Jonathan Edwards getting his 30th goal of the season after Platt made a mess after coming off his line allowing for a forward to chip the ball over him into the net. Amadu Kuanda got the second almost from kick off following a through ball from midfield he easily slotted past Dan Platt.

Just after a golden chance for St Ives to extend their lead, Halesowen's man of the match McKauley Manning got his second of the game for the equaliser with a brilliant free kick the goalkeeper had no chance of saving.

A game of the highest attacking quality continued with Theo Alexandrou restoring the St Ives lead rifling a shot from outside the box, a splendid goal to put their side in front at the break in a mad first half.

Both sides brought out the same electric energy in the second period with the Yeltz equalised for a second time this time through defender Ryan Wynter as he poked home from a goal mouth scramble following a corner.

The equaliser seemed to knock the rhythm out of St Ives play as Halesowen looked on top in the search for a winner eventually getting it from Jak Hickman who's cross shot unexpectedly found the back of the net to make it 4-3.

A shot off the crossbar and a late 96th minute ball from the goalkeeper that beat all the Halesowen defenders as the ball went just wide of the post did give the club a late scare however it was enough to get the result over the line in what can only be described as a treat of a match to end the home season.

Russ Penn couldn't help but speak on the clubs chances for next season after the game stating "I believe we can something, the pressure is on us for next season. I was us to be more competitive and challenge for the top five."

Halesowen: Daniel Platt (GK) (C), Reece Mitchell, McKauley Manning, Todd Parker, Ryan Wynter, Thomas Taylor (Redfern 58'), Jak Hickman, Kai Lissimore, Miracle Okafor (Boothe 82'), Caine Elliot (Holmes 68'), Kieren Donnelly

St Ives: Sam Bentley (GK), Patrick Casey, Aaron Smith, Michael Richens (C), Josh Tomlinson, Jake Hutchings, Dan Barton (Cowling 19'), Luke Harris (Fifield 84'), Jonathan Edwards, Amadu Kuanda, Theo Alexandrou

Unused Subs: (Halesowen) Josh Ezewele, Richard Gregory; (St Ives) Johnny Herd

Man of the match - McKauley Manning

Attendance - 1,206