Nov 294 min read

Match Preview | Stourbridge (A)

Russ Penn 'excited' ahead of his first no9 derby as Halesowen travel to Stourbridge for a huge clash

Written by Ben Ditchfield

The game marks one of the most important number 9 derbies in recent history as Russ Penn's in-form Yeltz make the short 5 mile trip to The War Memorial Ground as they face fellow play-off residents Stourbridge.

It's just the second time since 2018 that the two sides have met in a league game at The War Memorial Ground, with the Yeltz coming away with the win in the blockbuster 4-3 clash in September last year.

The club have lost just once in the 10 league games at Stourbridge since 1989, with Yeltz goalkeeper Dan Platt having featured in the last five meetings at the ground, as he looks set to make his 12th successive appearance in the derby.

In what will be his first number 9 derby Russ Penn spoke to Radio Halesowen Town's Ben Ditchfield ahead of the game, "I'm really looking forward to it, i know a lot of the history between the two sides, i keep trying to play the match down but i dont think the fans will let me, a number 9 derby is always a pressure game with both sets of players and fans wanting the win.

"Successful sides keep momentum and what we have gathered over the last few games, we need to take into this. It has to be about us in games like this, we have to take the emotion away and play to our strengths.

"Stourbridge are a very well organised side and in my eyes are one of the promotion favourites and we have to be on it from start to finish or we will get beat. I played them last year with Kiddie, but with a new manager at Stourbridge now, it will be a different game and the atmosphere around the club has changed for the good, so both teams will be at it to win the game." The full interview will be available on Radio Halesowen Town in the sports report at 6pm on Friday night as well as prior to the game on Saturday.

Penn's side will be looking for a sixth straight league win for the first time in two and a half years on Saturday, with league top scorer Kieren Donnelly, looking to become the first Yeltz player since Paul Joinson in 1989 to score in eight consecutive league matches.

Our opponents Stourbridge come into game with their best start to a league season at this stage of a campaign since the 2018/19 season, when they secured a third place finish in the Southern League Premier Division Central, before losing in the play-off semifinal to Alvechurch.

The Glassboys boss, Liam McDonald took charge of the side in May 2024 after guiding Rushall Olympic to the National League North and following it up by keeping them in the division last season. He replaced Leon Broadhurst, who was sacked by Stourbridge earlier this year when the club resided in 16th place after winning just once in the eight games before he was relieved of his duties.

New Glassboys boss McDonald, will also be having his first taste of the derby, as he looks to steer his side to the tag of going four league games unbeaten for the first time under his management. The 39 year old, won his first two games in charge of the club, including an impressive 5-1 win at the New Bucks Head against Telford.

His side have also kept seven clean sheets in the league this season, only bettered by Banbury United with Jordaan Brown and Joel Kettle the catalyst amongst the partnerships that have blossomed this season at the back, as the club look for a fifth successive clean sheet in all competitions for the first time in over 15 years.

McDonald has carried his solid defensive record to Stourbridge after he oversaw 15 clean sheets for Rushall Olympic in their promotion from this league in 2023, before guiding them to nine clean sheets in the National League North before his departure to join The Glassboys.

Stourbridge carry a number of goalscoring threats amongst their ranks, with nine players having scored multiple goals for the club this campaign. Top scorers Toumani Sidibe and Alex Bradley the highlights of The Glassboys goalscoring ranks with six goals a piece for the pair.

Ethan Freemantle has scored five goals this season with recent acquisition 18 year old Souleyman Mandey stealing the headlines of late with four goals in his first eight games for the club after joining on loan from West Brom on an intial 28 day loan that was extended till the end of January last month.

The first goal this weekend could be crucial to the outcome of the match, with Halesowen having scored the first goal in 10 of their 16 league games this season, losing just one of those and Stourbridge having scored first in nine of their 16 matches in the league, having also lost just one of them.

Russ Penn's side could get at the hosts poor second half record that has seen 15 of the last 20 goals they have conceded coming after the 45th minute. They will though have to spring a surprise if they want to lead at the break, with Stourbridge having been behind at half time just once in their last 19 league matches.

Key Seasonal Stats

Stourbridge

League Position - 5th

Season Record - 11W 3D 7L

Form (Last 5 Games) - LWDWD

Top Scorer - Toumani Sidibe & Alex Bradley (6 Goals)

Most Appearances - Joel Kettle, Jordaan Brown, Jessy Bavanganga, Alex Bradley (20)

Most Starts - Joel Kettle & Jordaan Brown (20)

Biggest League Win - 5-1 vs Telford United & Hitchin Town (Away - 13th August & 19th October)

Biggest League Defeat - 4-1 vs Harborough Town (Home - 15th October)

Longest Unbeaten Run - 4 Games (29th October - present)

Longest Winless Run - 4 Games (6th September - 28th September)