The Sudbury lineup was Bradbrook, Isaacson, Lewis, Dickens, Miles, Peters, Neal, Cowling, Pearce, Allen, Bradley. Subs: Munson, Terminiello, Goode, Okeh 

The Suds started incredibly well, Liam Pearce drove towards goal and played a one-two with Ollie Peters before drilling the ball into the box; Joe Neal took a touch before managing to put his strike across goal and into the bottom corner, a dream start! However, with the Halesowen fans stepping into their own in a mammoth crowd of 1021, the Yeltz began to pepper the Sudbury goal, and found themselves level. Although, the goal was rather controversial for the scenario beforehand. James Bradbrook appeared to be pushed to the ground, forcing him to lose control of the ball, but the ref gave a corner. From the resulting corner the ball was headed back into the box and Jordan Ponticelli headed into the back of the net from close range. Not long after Bradders was forced into a great save from a free kick.

Half-time: Halesowen Town 1-1 AFC Sudbury

In the second half, both teams were competing fiercely to earn three points, with a great match of football being played in front of both sets of supporters. 15 minutes into the second half, the match changed as McCauley Manning, who was already on a yellow, looked to have deliberately stopped Myles Cowling’s counter attack, and the ref brandished a second yellow card. Five minutes later the Suds were centimetres away from going back in front, as Myles hit a brilliant effort just inside the 18-yard box that rattled the post. So close! With just under 10 minutes to play, the hosts took the lead. Ponticelli found Kieran Donnelly in a crowded penalty area, and he fired a powerful effort into the near corner. As the Suds continued to attack late on, Halesowen went on a quick counter attack, and the ball found it’s way to Ponticelli again who finished past Bradders. Sealing the match in the 94th minute.

Full-Time: Halesowen Town 3-1 AFC Sudbury

A tough result to take, but we have the chance to bounce back on Saturday as we face Stratford.

By Isaac Mennie