Clarendon sit in third place on goal difference after that man Everton Morrison scores a crucial hat-trick. Pablo can surely stake a claim to being one of the best strikers in the league, however when you look down the list of Division One Top Scorers, it's hard to select one from the current crop. But he did the business yesterday and planted the ball in the net three times meaning Clarendon took the points and kept right on St Mary's coat tails.
Tommy Woodward says: We didn't play well today and Halesowen must be gutted not to come away with three points. They dominated and if it wasn't for our defence we could have been four down on the hour. Halesowen are a very good side and played excellent football but for only 75 minutes. Then a penalty changed the game and we managed to put some real pressure on the Halesowen back four that had cleaned up everything we had thrown at them. Pablo and Jason Greene then managed to stretch their defence and three late goals secured us the three points. Halesowen had been 2-0 up and were controlling the game and must be kicking themselves after losing. But we have two of the best strikers in the league and if you give them half a chance, they'll punish you. Halesowen have added some players and should push St Mary's and ourselves all the way this season.
Grant Doran adds: Well what can i say, 70 minutes gone 2-0 up and looking pretty comfortable only to finish the game 3-2 down. I think gutted is a pretty good word!!
Today's match was going to be a real test so we knew that we would need to be on top of our game if we were going to get anything out of it. We altered the team slightly with the intention of asking questions of their back line and to try to make them worry about what we were doing rather than sit back and try to soak up pressure.
When Spicer smashed us infront with a free kick everything seemed to be working to plan. We were working hard to shut down Clarendon and although they had a few shots at goal I can only remember one save that Simon needed to make. Half time and we were 1-0 to the good, but we knew that we had to maintain the work rate and retain the ball as much as possible if we were to take the three points.
Clarendon came at us from the whistle but we again managed to nullify there threat and began working the ball around the pitch well, creating several half chances. When Earl put the finish on a neat move that went from one wing to the other, it looked as if we were going to pick up a great result and as far as I am aware our first victory against Clarendon. As so often happens in football a small mistake, sloppy pass or poor finish can swing a game and so it proved here. After more good football through midfield, Tom was put clear with only the keeper to beat. Needless to say he didn't find the net and the chance to tie the game up went begging.
Two minutes later and in our box Morrison won and converted a penalty that gave Clarendon genuine belief and stripped Zion of their's. The game totally changed and from that point on it was defence against attack. We were unable to pass the ball over five yards, so found ourselves chasing Clarendon players who now seemed to be ten yards faster and fresher. Sloppy play led to the ball finding it's ways to Morrison just inside our area and after shifting the ball across his body he drilled a low shot in of the inside of the near post. With only minutes remaining and Zion players now chasing shadows Morrison again found space in the box and as he so often does slide the ball into the back of the net to take the match ball and the points and leave Halesowen total shell shocked.
I must give the Clarendon lads credit for the way they never gave up and kept going to the end, but equally for 70 minutes Halesowen played some great football and kept a very good team at arm's length. I must say though that despite this, the way we ran out of steam was really disappointing. I think we need a few more sessions on the training ground.
Sheldon 2 St Matthew's 3
