.png)
Halesowen put in a five star performance as they topple giant killers Barwell
Written by Ben Ditchfield
Following on from a difficult week that saw Russ Penn's side fall to a 1-0 defeat in Hertfordshire to Royston Town on Tuesday and the departure off the influential Jordan Ponticelli. The Yeltz thrashed Barwell by five goals to nil including a brace from defender and captain Ryan Wynter.
The Canaries had lost just one of their last seven league games at home, that included a 2-1 win over Kettering Town and a 2-0 win over Telford. Halesowen had failed to win in their last five against Barwell but refused to join the list as they scored five in an away game for the second time in just over a month and claimed a first clean sheet after four league games without one.
Ryan Wynter scored the opener just after the 15 minute mark, after Conor Tee won a corner off Herve Pepe-Ngoma. He delivered to the back post where Ryan Wollacott was waiting to head towards goal before the Yeltz captain bundled it in. After his red card on Tuesday that meant he will miss the clubs next three matches, Wynter signed off the year in style as he claimed his second and third for the club against our opponents.
Yet again from a corner, this time won by McKauley Manning, the ball was whipped in and planted right on the head of the Yeltz number five who made no mistake from close range. Russ Penn's side scored three in the final 10 minutes of the match, through Musa Ceesay's second for the club, Kieren Donnelly's ninth league goal in succession and Conor Tee's fifth league goal for the Yeltz.
"I think it was the best first half we have played all season, the way we moved the ball and created chances," stated Yeltz boss Russ Penn.
"We weathered 25 minute storm at the start of the second half, which was hard, but when we got to grips with it, the last 15 minutes we were so predatory it was unbelievable." The whole team including the subs and the staff were amazing today, we dominated the game from start to finish.
Penn's side, just like on Tuesday night, started the game in an electric fashion. Inside the opening ten minutes, Donnelly held the ball up on the edge of the area which allowed Manning to hit just wide of Will Highland's post.
Minutes later a ball up from Dan Platt to Josh Smile, eventually made its way upfield to Tee who flicked on to Donnelly to miskick an effort wide. Just before Ryan Wynter's opener, Oliver Brown-Hill's giveaway allowed Donnelly to force a stunning reflex stop from Highland inside the box.
Following on from the Yeltz captain's brace, his first half of brilliance was almost capped off with a stunning 45 minute hattrick. A pinpoint delivery from Manning was planted perfectly on top of Wynter's head and past the Barwell number one, before a heroic goal line clearance and a foul inside the area, denied a third goal in 20 minutes for an exuberant Halesowen.
The Yeltz had two chances in as many minutes to add to the lead in the first 15 minutes of the second period. Donnelly glided his way through the Barwell back line before he placed a ball across to Tee who failed to get his attempt on⁰ target. Just prior to a mazey run from Jak Hickman, that allowed him to whip a ball in towards Donnelly, only for Isaiah Osbourne to get in front of him and clear.
The hosts failed to make a dent in the first period but came out a new team in the second half. Just minutes into the half, Ethan Hill who has featured in every game this season for Barwell, played a ball to club captain Brady Hickey. The ball returned back to The Canaries ever present to force a corner that with a better finishing touch from Oliver Brown-Hill could have seen a way to wriggle their way back into the contest.
Leroy Lita then followed a goal against Kettering in the week, with a howler just after the hour mark here. He worked his way into the box but somehow couldn't apply the finishing touch as the ball was kept out thanks to a combination of Dan Platt and last ditch defending. Barwell's final effort at forcing a nervy finale saw a lapse in concentration at the back from the Yeltz, allowed Fridye-Harper to cross towards Hickey who forced an incredible block from Wynter.
The stunning eight minute period that featured three goals to stun the hosts, who prior to the game had only conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of their nine home games this campaign. The win means Halesowen end a seven year wait for a win over The Canaries and record a seventh win in the last eight occasions in the league when falling to defeat the match prior.
Barwell: William Highland (GK), Jahdahn Fridye-Harper, Oliver Brown-Hill, Herve Pepe-Ngoma, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Scott McManus (Isaiah Osbourne 46'), Deen Master (Riley Moloney 46'), Leroy Lita, Koby Arthur (Jack Rogers 59'), Brady Hickey (C), Ethan Hill (Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton 83')
Unused subs: William Mbakop Fankwe
Yeltz: Dan Platt (GK), Jak Hickman, Reece Mitchell, Josh Smile, Ryan Wynter (C), Ryan Wollacott, Todd Parker, Conor Tee, Kieren Donnelly, Musa Ceesay (Pa Njie 87'), McKauley Manning (Ben Cassidy 88')
Unused subs: Nat Kelly, Adi Yussuf, Lewis Solly (GK)
Attendance - 387