SKELMERSDALE 1 HALESOWEN T 2

TWO second-half goals were enough to give Halesowen three valuable points.

The victory sees the West Midlands side sit a fairly comfortable nine points clear of the drop zone, but at the end they were left hanging on as a youthful Skem side piled on the late pressure.

A new-look home side took the field and it was no surprise that they took a little while to settle.

In the second minute Town striker Tristian Dunkley hit the outside of the Skelmersdale upright then he saw an attempted lob go just wide.

As the half progressed Skelmersdale’s free flowing football pushed Halesowen back, Jack Watts hitting the crossbar before bringing a magnificent diving save from goalkeeper Daniel Platt.

The visitors took the lead on 57 minutes when the ball was hoisted into the Skelmersdale box from the left and Liam Slade rose above everyone to head the ball home.

The lead was added to on 73 minutes when a neat diagonal ball by Ben Clarke put Ethan Delaney in for a chance he finished well.

The last 17 minutes was nearly all Skem, Watts hit the bar again on 84 minutes before a terrific pull back from Nathan Randell gave Dean Shacklock a tap-in.

However, Halesowen held on, to the delight of a proud new manager.

STAR MAN: Jack Watts (Skem) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★