| Date: 31-07-21 Harriers lay a recent Halesowen hoodoo to rest |
The Harriers made the short trip to The Grove, home of Halesowen Town, for today’s preseason friendly. Notable by their absences were Jack Tolley, who has impressed throughout the preseason programme, and Amari Morgan Smith. One person who was there though was Walsall loanee Joe Foulkes after his loan deal was announce yesterday.
Despite The Yeltz having the better of recent friendly encounters it was the Harriers who broke the deadlock within the first three minutes after enterprising play from Keziah Martin enabled him to finish a move he started by driving a rebounded Sammy Austin shot back in from a sharp angle.
In reply the Yeltz came oh so close to gaining a quick equaliser when Richard Gregory beat the offside trap to advance on Luke Simpsons goal. He fired beyond the Harriers keeper and then saw his shot hit the base of the post.
Omari Sterling-James was a danger throughout, firing a shot wide after a weaving run.
At the midway point of the first half the Harriers could have doubled their lead when Ethan Freemantle pounced on a free ball and shot on an angle after rejecting Sam Austin’s call for a square ball and a tap in. Austin would not be denied though getting his goal in the thirty eighth minute after Sterling-James drilled in a low cross following more good wingplay.
HT: 0-2
The second half took on a quieter start with play approaching the hour mark before any real threats were made; Halesowen pushing forward and seeing a Harry White effort cleared off the line following some last ditch defending by Player J.
Heading towards the final twenty minutes it was Harriers who looked more likely to score with Player J turning Freemantle’s flick off target. Moments later the hosts found a way back into the match as Harriers failed to clear, Joshua Mussell lashing home.
Buoyed by their goal the Yeltz pushed for an equaliser but Harriers, with Sterling, Austin and Nyal Bell, always looked a danger on the break twice working the ball to the byeline but the final delivery was found lacking.
Next up we have a Harriers XI friendly at Worcester City in Tuesday evening. It may not be an indication of what our first team will be for a season that starts in two weeks time.
FT: 1-2
Harriers: Simpson, Foulkes, Richards, Player J, Lowe, Carrington, Austin, Martin, Freemantle, Hemmings, Sterling-James.
Subs: Player L, Penny, Player M, Dutton, Montrose, Bell, Bastable, Lissimore, J White.
Halesowen: Platt, Wright, Lloyd, Hawker, McCone, Flanagan, Sammons, Bunn, Lait, Gregory, Molyneux.
Subs: Whitehouse, Ashmore, Manning, Brookes, Mussell, Scott, Redhead, Holmes, H White, Van Veen.
Att: 653