Match Preview | Stamford (H)
Halesowen enter into the final month of the season with a huge game at both ends of the table against Stamford
Head to Head
The Yeltz are unbeaten in the last three games against the Daniels, which has featured a 2-0 win, 2-2 draw, and 1-1 draw over the last 15 month period. Our last defeat to Stamford came in December 2023, one of just two defeats in our last 12 against the Lincolnshire side dating back to October 2015. Stamford are winless in their last five at The Grove, with the last win coming in August 2015.
In the most recent game, back in August, the reverse league fixture, we failed to take advantage of an early goal lead in a 1-1 draw. The Yeltz started the game in unstoppable fashion continuously putting the hosts on the back foot. The well deserved opener came with 22 minutes on the clock. A Kyle Finn cross found former Yeltz loanee Charlie Wragg at the back post, who tapped into an open net. Our spark fizzled out in the latter stages of the first half, and early stages of the second period, which allowed the Daniels to level at one a piece. Just five minutes into the second 45, Jack Duffy pounced on the space, and was afforded the time to shoot, and with thanks to a deflection found the bottom right corner of Dan Platt’s goal.
Russ Penn’s Thoughts
“The proof is in the pudding with regards to the performance on Saturday in Bedford. It definitely warranted more than what we got, but it is what it is, and we have to lick our wounds to get back to winning ways today. The importance of going into this game with two home wins in two shouldn’t be underestimated. We go into today full of confidence based on the way we have played over the last five games since the Stourbridge defeat. The reaction has been amazing, and had we strung matches like this together earlier on in the season, I think we would be really talking up this group. Unfortunately we’re not, and we are chasing the points, and the arrival of Stamford offers up a different kind of challenge.
“Stamford have a manager who knows this level inside out, and is very respected. I know him very well, we always help each other out with opponents, and to have someone to lean on. His team will come at us today, but they have something big to fight for as well, survival. I’ve seen their away record, but at this stage of the season find it irrelevant. Stats will only be looked upon when the 42 games are done and dusted. They need results to stay in the league, and combined with us needing the points as well at the other end of the table, it sets it up for a cracker on paper. We need all three, they may be happy with a point depending on how other results go, but will no doubt have three in mind. I expect them to have a go, but also maybe be a bit cagey, just like we may be at the start of the game given the huge pressure. We’ve done our homework on them, and will look to push the sides above us with a win to get the job done themselves.
“We are in a position where we can’t look too much into whether sides are winning or losing games. All the teams fighting for promotion I can guarantee won’t win all five or six games remaining. If they do, they fully deserve to get into the play-offs, but I’m certain, as we have seen in recent weeks and months that there will be plenty of twists and turns. All we can do is focus on our games, and securing the points required to qualify for another play-off campaign come the end of the month.”
Opposition Preview
Tom Jackson – Goalkeeper
The 30 year old signed in the summer of 24 from step 4 side North Ferriby United. The shotstopper featured in all 78 of Stamford’s league games across this and last season, where he has kept a combined 22 clean sheets.
Connor Bartle – Left Back
The 30 year old signed in the summer of 2020 from then step 3 side Grantham Town. The left sided defender scored twice in 32 league games for Stamford last season, and this campaign has made 26 league appearances, 16 of which in the XI, and scored once, the only goal in their win last weekend.
Josh Cavallo – Left Back
The 26 year old signed in December from step 2 Peterborough Sports. The defender born in Australia, who spent the first six years of his career in Australia, made four National League North appearances for Peterborough Sports earlier this season. The versatile left sided defender/winger has made 14 league appearances for the Daniels, four of which starts.
Ryan Wilson – Left Back
The 33 year old joined on a season long loan from step 4 side Mickleover Sports in the summer. The left sided defender featured in 33 league games for Mickleover last season. Since his arrival at Stamford, Wilson has made 29 league appearances, 26 of which in the XI.
Aaron Cashmore – Centre Back
The 18 year old joined in January on loan until the end of the season from League One Doncaster Rovers. The centre half made just one league appearance on loan at Spalding United earlier this season, but since joining the Daniels, has made 13 league appearances, four of which starts.
Jordon Cooke – Centre Back
The 28 year old signed in the summer of 24 from then step 4 side Cleethorpes Town. The centre half featured in all but one of Stamford’s league games last season. The former Lincoln City academy man has scored four goals in 32 league appearances this season, all bit one of which starts.
Oran Jackson – Centre Back
The 27 year old signed last month from step 4 Rugby Borough. The centre half featured in all but one of their regular league games last season, plus their two play-off games on route to promotion from step 5. The former MK Dons academy man scored twice in 25 league games for the Warwickshire side, before making the move to Lincolnshire where he has featured in four of their five games since his arrival, all of which starts.
Jack Keeble – Centre Back
The 27 year old signed in December from step 4 side Corby Town. The centre half scored three times in 35 of Corby’s regular league games last season, plus the two play-off games, scoring in their semi-final, but losing in the final. The former Grimsby Town academy man featured in 17 of their league games this season, before the move to Stamford where he has featured in all 15 of their league games since his arrival, all of which starts.
Joe Burgess – Right Back
The 30 year old signed in the summer of 2020 from Corby. The former Peterborough United academy man featured in 26 of Stamford’s league games last season. The right sided defender has had an injury hit campaign this season, and made just three league appearances because of it, but all of them have been starts.
Charlie Marzano – Right Back
The 24 year old signed in the summer of 24 from recently relegated Kettering Town. The right back made 33 league appearances for Stamford last season, and has made 31 this season, all but two of which starts.
George Hobbins – Defensive Midfielder
The 27 year old signed in October 2024 from step 5 side Skegness Town. The midfielder made 14 league appearances for the latter before making the swift switch to Stamford early last season, and went on to score twice in 25 league appearances for the Lincolnshire side. This season, Hobbins has missed just one league game of their 36 league games, all but two of which starts.
Michael Armstrong – Central Midfielder
The 31 year old signed in January from step 4 side Belper Town. The midfielder scored 10 goals in 33 league appearances for step 4 Hinckley LRFC. The man who previously spent 2017-2024 at Stamford, has scored once in 14 league appearances this season, nine of which starts.
Jake Duffy – Central Midfielder
The 37 year old signed in February from Rugby Boro. The man who is in his third spell at the Daniels scored three times in 31 league games for step 5 side Aylestone Park last season. The midfielder made just the one league appearance for step 4 Rushden & Diamonds & Rugby Boro ealirer this season. Since arriving at Stamford, Duffy has made eight league appearances, all but two of which starts.
Harry Vince – Central Midfielder
The 27 year old signed in the summer of 2019 after a six month spell at Matlock Town. The midfielder made nine league appearances for Stamford last season, and this season has made 22 league appearances, all but two of which starts, but hasn’t played since January due to injury.
Jon Challinor – Attacking Midfielder
The 45 year old signed in the summer of 2014 from National League side Halifax Town. The midfielder who started his career nearly 30 years ago scored twice in 24 league games for the Daniels last season. The former Cambridge United, Mansfield Town & Newport Country man has made 22 league appearances this season, four of which starts.
Joao Varela – Left Winger
The 25 year old signed in February 2025 from step 5 Soham Town Rangers. The pace wide man scored four goals in 21 league games last season for Soham, before moving to Stamford and scoring once in 11 league appearances. This season, Rangel has scored once in 17 league games for the Daniels, five of which starts.
Leon Lobjoit – Striker
The 31 year old signed in January from fellow step 3 side Potters Bar Town. The striker was the Southern Premier Central’s second highest scorer last season, scoring 27 goals in 35 league games for champions Bedford Town. The Coventry City academy man made six National League North appearances earlier this season for Bedford, before scoring once in six league games for Potters Bar. Since arriving at Stamford, Lobjoit has scored nine goals in 14 league appearances, all but one of which starts.
Kai Tonge – Striker
The 28 year old signed in January 2025 from Harborough Town. The striker scored three goals in 27 league appearances across the Bees and the Daniels last season. Tonge, whose cousin Oscar played for the Yeltz in our promotion campaign, has scored nine goals, three penalties, and featured in all but two of Stamford’s league games, 31 of which in the XI.
Michael Frew – Right Winger
The 41 year old signed in the summer of 21 from then step 5 side Holbeach United. The man who started his career in 2006, made just the eight league appearances for Stamford, but this season has already made 18, all of which off the bench.
Statistical Insight
Halesowen
- Only Spalding United (56) have scored more second half goals this season in the Southern Premier Central than our 46.
- Only Spalding United (18) have scored more goals in the Southern Premier Central this season in the 15 minute plus stoppage time period before half-time than our 16.
- Only Spalding United (27) have scored more goals in the Southern Premier Central this season after the 76th minute than our 19.
- No other side in the Southern Premier Central this season have conceded more goals in the first 15 minutes than our 14.
Stamford
- Only AFC Sudbury with 24% (9/37) & Stourbridge with 30% (11/36) have a lower scored first percentage in the Southern Premier Central this season than Stamford’s 38% (14/36)
- No other side in the Southern Premier Central this season have scored fewer first half goals than Stamford’s 15.
- Only AFC Sudbury (16) have conceded more goals in the first 15 minute plus stoppage time period before half-time this season in the Southern Premier Central than Stamford’s 15.
- Only AFC Sudbury (26) have conceded more goals after the 76th minute this season in the Southern Premier Central than Stamford’s 21.