Luckless Nailers see cup dreams end

The game started at an extremely fast pace, with Halesowen hoping to catch the Nailers napping early on, however the Belper defence held strong and ensured that they were alert to early Halesowen pressure.

The only time that Danny Haystead was seriously challenged in the opening exchanges was a 35 yard volley by Malcolm Melvin. The dip and bend on the ball made it difficult for Danny Haystead, but the Belper ‘keeper tipped it over the bar expertly to keep the game level.

Belper then began to apply pressure of their own on the Halesowen defence. A superb Kyle Bryant cross was met by Alex Steadman, but unfortunately he couldn’t get a good connection on the ball with his header which sailed over the crossbar.

The closest that the Nailers came to opening the scoring was via a Jermaine Hollis (pictured) glancing header. Jonathan Williams’ cross found its way to Hollis. Who had to improvise with a backwards header towards goal and the attempt flashed just wide of the far post.

Just before the interval can a moment of controversy when Halesowen danger man Kaiman Anderson found himself through on the Belper goal, with only Gerome Palmer and Danny Haystead in his way.

The referee adjudged that Anderson had given Palmer a slight push before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the goal, disallowing the goal in a chorus of Halesowen boos.

Going into the break, the Nailers could certainly feel happy with the way that they had played, but it was clear that they were missing the forward focal point that the injured Ruben-Wiggins Thomas usually brings to the side.

Both teams found it difficult to create clear cut chances in the second half with defences generally on top and draw looked increasingly likely to be final outcome.

However, it was not meant to be for the Nailers as luck deserted them with 10 minutes remaining.

When substitute Joe Colley put in a low cross aimed for the back post, Danny Haystead’s view was blocked as he came out to collect, which allowed the ball to elude him and found its way into the back of the net.

The Nailers pressed the Halesowen defence late on to try and earn themselves a replay, with the centre backs pushing forwards to to support the attack, but the Nailers couldn’t find a way through a well organised Halesowen defence.

Despite the result, the Nailers can hold their heads high, pushing a team from the tier above all the way and coming close to earning themselves a deserved replay at the Marston’s Stadium.

Halesowen Town: Dan Platt; Kyle Haynes, James Hancocks, Jay Denny (c), Kyle Morrison, Asa Charlton, Jordan Goddard, Malcolm Melvin, Kaiman Anderson, George Cleet (Ethan Delaney 61), Aaron Griffiths (Joe Colley 80). Subs Not Used: Tyree Clarke, Callum Williams, Rioual Kousseba-Bakala, Brodie Williams, Jake King (GK)

Belper Town: Danny Haystead; Kyle Bryant, Jonathan Guy, Eric Graves (c), Gerome Palmer (Charlie Gatter 71), Philip Watt, Michael Armstrong, Jonathan Williams (Rackeem Reid 82), Jordan Ball (Ryan King 68), Jermaine Hollis, Alex Steadman. Subs Not Used: Laurence Constable, Dean Haynes, Fenwick Butcher, Mark Rathbone (GK)

Referee: Darren Wilding

Attendance: 318