Halesowen can count themselves a trifle unfortunate to lose 3-1 at Bromsgrove after leading 1-0 at half-time. Both teams had periods when they were definitely on top, but throughout the match Halesowen had difficulty in coping with the speedy runs and centres of Mike Hellawell, former Birmingham City and Sunderland winger.
Early in the first half Bromsgrove and then Halesowen had goals disallowed for offside. The home team concentrated most of their attacks down the right wing and a rare tussle ensued between Errol Pearson and Hellawell and whenever the winger got in the clear his ability to cross an accurate ball on the run was a constant worry for the Town defence.
Halesowen concentrated more on the close passing game and Wood was prominent with his clever promptings. With Whetnall always working hard it was always on that Halesowen might take the lead and this they did right on the stroke of half-time. Whetnall picked up a pass from Timmington and resisting two strong challenges he stroked the ball past the advancing Cooper.
Halesowen resumed kicking down a slight slope but it proved no advantage and within three minutes the home team were on level terms. Stafford beat Culwick in the air and as the ball dropped over his head Hackett volleyed home from about three yards. It was all Bromsgrove after this and and in the 65th minute they took the lead when Hellawell crossed for Hackett to head home from close range. The Halesowen defence was very uncertain at this stage but they livened up towards the end of the game. Then came a most inexplicable decision by the referee. Whetnall took a ball down the middle, shrugged off several challenges and banged the ball home from about the penalty spot but the goal was disallowed and a free-kick awarded instead on the edge of the penalty area. No one could understand the decision, but it upset Halesowen and it was no surprise when substitute Craddock scored again from another Hellawell centre.
Bromsgrove : Hooper; Isherwood, Gwynne; Stafford, Wood Nicholls; M. Hellawell, Hackett, Howell, Boswell, T. Hellawell.
Halesowen : Roberts; Argent, Pearson; Barber, Culwick, Cooper; Anderson, Timmington, Whetnall, Wood, Arnold. |