Match Preview | Rushall Olympic (H)
The Yeltz welcome Rushall Olympic to The Grove for the first time in nearly eight years, as we look to continue our four game winning streak
Head to Head
There have been 14 meetings between the two in the 21st century, dating back to 2004. Before that, there hadn’t been a game since the 80’s, where the two played whopping 15 times in five years. We are three unbeaten against the Pics, and as many clean sheets. The last meeting at home, in October 2018 saw a gate of 406. A huge 700 lower than this season’s average. A sign of how much the club has grown in that time. Only Dan Platt played in the last game between the two, away in March 2019, where player manager Lee Hughes’ Yeltz drew 0-0.
Paul Holleran’s Thoughts
“Our first league game in quite a while. The two cup games have made the match against Leighton feel a long, long time ago. Now the league matches start to come thick and fast with the six currently scheduled for next month. A full squad will be needed, unfortunately we will have to wait with regards to Callum’s injury, but bringing in a young and energetic player like Samson, whose loan is now extended is crucial.
“A very confident and in-form Rushall arrive to our home. A side who had a tough year last season, having been transferred over to the Northern League. Now they are back in the Southern, their results have picked up, and credit to Ian (Long) and his side for that. A strong footballing side, who have worked very hard behind the scenes with the Allan family (John & Nick), who have done a wonderful job off the pitch. Both clubs will aspire of finishing near the top, and it wasn’t too long ago that our visitors were in the National League North, and they can take inspiration from their promotion four years ago. For us, it’s all about keeping momentum, and using the games we have played this month to spur us on to more.
“Home comforts, particularly on Tuesday nights are very important. It can be quite chaotic going away during the week, but being at your own ground, there’s a familiarity and structure. Obviously Rushall have only come down the road, so it’s not too bad for them, but this is a tough place to come nonetheless. Contrary to that, teams do look forward to playing here, and I can second that having brought my Leamington side a few times. Flipping that to us, we want to avoid sides enjoying their time at The Grove, and use the crowd to keep playing our full pelt, on the front foot, attacking play.”
Opposition Overview
Manager
Ian Long
The 50 year old was appointed as manager in May 2025, just after the Pics relegation from the National League North under Richard Sneekes and his predecessor Adam Stevens. His managerial journey started back in July 2012, where he took charge of step 5 Tipton Town. After a year where they finished 6th, he left to join fellow step 5 Tividale. Long won promotion instantly with the latter, 12 points clear of second, before finishing 8th in step 4 in the following season.
Following his successful two years in Dudley, he joined then step 5 Alvechurch, where he spent the next four years until the summer of 2019. After a failed play-off campaign in his first season, he went on to earn back-to-back promotions all the way to step 3 for the 18/19 campaign. Amazingly, they reached the play-offs, that season, denied three successive promotions by a defeat in the final to King’s Lynn Town.
The Church legend returned to the club after a failed eight months at Stourbridge. Covid hit as soon as his return was announced, but when football resumed he finished 5th & 11th with them at step 3, before departing for step 4 Walsall Wood. After a year at the latter, he left due to their financial struggles, and after a six month break from the game, was then appointed at Rushall. Despite a difficult first season at the club, this season has been so different too date, mainly helped by their reinstatement to the Southern League.
Goalkeepers
Ollie Taylor
The 27 year old signed in the summer from St Ives Town. The shotstopper featured in all 42 of the Saints league games last season, until their relegation to step 4. He has started all eight league games for Rushall this season.
Defenders
Jordaan Brown
The 34 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from Stourbridge. The centre half, who also featured for the Pics from March 2022 – July 2024. The former AFC Wimbledon academy man, who has also played his football career in Finland & Norway, is one of two defenders to have started all eight league games for the Pics this season.
Brad Burton
The 24 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from Stratford Town. The former Alvechurch & Redditch United right back came through the Aston Villa academy, and has featured five times in the league this season for the Pics, just one of which in the starting XI.
Kade Craig
The 23 year old signed in the summer from National League North AFC Telford United. The former Birmingham City academy man featured for Welsh top flight side TNS at the start of last season, before making three league appearances for Telford. The centre half has missed just one league game for Rushall this season, and started four of those seven.
Carter Lycett
The 24 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from Bromsgrove. The left back had a very successful 24/25 season for the Rouslers, and was the only player to feature in Rushall’s 42 league games last season. The goalscoring defender has two goals to his name this season, and has started all eight games.
Max Ram
The 25 year old signed in February from Redditch. The right back previously spent just a month at Rushall in the summer of 2024, and is currently on his eighth different club in the past four years. The former Leicester City & Nottingham Forest academy man has featured five times in the league this season for the Pics, all of which in the starting XI.
Jamie Willets
The 34 year old signed in October last year from us. The former Yeltz captain, made 22 appearances for the club over nine months until his departure. The centre half has featured in all eight league games for Rushall this season, but just three of which has seen him in the starting XI.
Midfielders
Todd Alcock
The 21 year old signed earlier this month from NL North South Shields. The former Aston Villa academy centre midfielder scored once in 41 step 2 appearances last season. He has started the two league games since his arrival at the Pics.
Jack Concannon
The 26 year old signed in the summer from step 4 Rugby Town. The midfielder who can also play out wide on the right, made 10 league appearances at the start of last season for Stourbridge, before dropping down a level with Rugby. He has featured just twice this season in the league for Rushall, both of which off the bench.
Lewis Corbett
The 18 year old signed in the summer from Chester. The midfielder, who is on dual registration with Winsford United, has featured once off the bench in the league this season for the Pics.
Roddy McGlinchey
The 22 year old signed in the summer of 2024 from Peterborough United’s academy. At his first permanent senior club, following three loans from Peterborough, the midfielder has started all eight league games this season for the Pics.
Alex Moore
The 29 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from Stourbridge. The midfielder, who also featured for the Pics from July 2019 – 2022 & February 2023 – July 2024, has scored three times this season in the league, and missed just one game, starting four of those seven.
Osaze Okuonghae
The 19 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from step 5 AFC Wolverhampton City. The talented midfielder took a huge step forward in his career, becoming a key figure in the Rushall midfield towards the end of last season. The teenager has featured twice in the league this season, once of which in the starting XI.
Aurio Teixeira
The 23 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from Redditch. The midfielder has 55 NL North appearances to his name during a two and a half year spell at Hereford from July 2023 – January 2025. He has started all but one of Rushall’s seven league games this season.
Sam Unitt
The 22 year old signed in the summer of 2025 from step 4 Chasetown. The former Stourbridge midfielder, has made five league appearances for Rushall this season, three of which in the starting XI.
Forwards
Kaiman Anderson
The 29 year old signed in the summer from Stafford Rangers. The former Shrewsbury Town academy striker and winger has 77 NL North appearances to his name across Telford, Southport & Leamington. He has scored twice and featured in all eight of Rushall’s league games this season, half of which have been in the starting XI.
Luke Benbow
The 35 year old signed earlier this month from Bromsgrove Sporting. The striker who had a successful 22/23 season at Stourbridge, scored 10 league goals in 31 games for the Rouslers last season. He has featured in Rushall’s last two league games off the bench since his arrival at the Walsall based club.
Alex Cameron
The 26 year old signed earlier this month from Redditch United. The man who was sent off against us last month for the latter, scored two goals in 18 league games for us in the second half of the 24/25 season. Last season, he scored 13 goals in 38 league games for the Reds, finishing as their top scorer. He has started the one league game since he arrived at Rushall.
Liam McAlinden
The 33 year old signed in the summer of 2024 from step 2 Scunthorpe United. The former Morecambe & Wrexham and Wolves academy talent has 43 League One, over 100 League Two, 79 National League & 72 NL North appearances under his belt. The striker and winger has scored twice this season in the league and missed just one of their eight games in the competition, starting all seven.
Tyler Roberts
The 22 year old signed in the summer from National League Tamworth. The striker and former Wolves academy man scored once in 23 step 1 appearances last season, having scored three in 29 for AFC Fylde in the previous campaign. He has scored once and missed just one league game for Rushall this season, and five of those seven has seen him in the starting XI.
Luke Yates
The 26 year old signed in the summer from Chasetown. The former Yeltz winger who made 53 appearances for us across two years from 2019 – 2021, recently enjoyed a very successful four years in Cannock. In his first season at step 3 since the 21/22 campaign, he has featured in all eight of the Pics league games this season, starting seven, and is their joint highest scorer with three goals.
Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased on the gate with cash or card, for the following prices:
🎟️ £14 Adults, £11 Concessions, £8 U18’s, £4 U12’s
To speed up the process of getting into the ground for this fixture, tickets can also be purchased online ⤵️
🔗 https://ht-fc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/halesowen_town_vs_rushall_olympic?version=m
Played for Both Teams
Yeltz: Milan Butterfield & Ty Barnett
Rushall: Jamie Willets, Alex Cameron & Luke Yates