Halesowen Town 2, Skelmersdale United 0

DEFENDER Joel Kettle hit two goals in the first five minutes to leave Halesowen Town in their element against league leaders Skelmersdale.

Halesowen's task of take all three points would later be made easier when the visitors were reduced to nine men as the game boiled over in the second half.

However, it was the Yeltz's start to the contest that ultimately proved the difference at The Grove today.

Skelmersdale soon found themselves in hot water when they failed to deal with two early testing balls into their box.

Kettle rose highest to meet a second minute corner and guide his header in at the far post. With a head up of steam, Hales wasted no time in doubling their advantage.

It came just two minutes later, this time from a Tom Tonks long throw.

With United keeper Hibbert failing to deal with the ball into the area, it eventually dropped at the feet of Kettle, who made no mistake from close range after another trip up field from the back.

After a breathtaking start that left United shell shocked, they eventually grew into the game as the half wore on.

Valtar Fernandes and Danny Mitchley both fired wide of the target after finding time and space in and around the home penalty area.

But, as the half drew to a close, Yeltz keeper Matt Sargeant still hadn't been forced into a save.

And it was to stay that way throughout the game as Hales professionally saw out a second half starved of real goalmouth action.

Speculative efforts from Tonks and good runs forward by Kristian Green came and went with Hales remaining in a comfortable lead.

Skelmersdale showed their frustration as the hour mark approached when an off the ball incident resulted in Aaron Griffiths going down and players coming together infront of the dugouts.

The visitors were then reduced to ten men when Fernandes was given a second yellow for bringing down Robert Thomson-Brown in the 69th minute.

He had gone in the book less than ten minutes before for a late tackle.

Halesowen could have added to their advantage in the 81st minute when Hibbert picked up a back-pass. However, substitute Neil Mackenzie dragged the free-kick wide.

Skelmersdale's miserable afternoon was completed with just two minutes left on the clock when defender Robert Brodie was shown a straight red card for an uncontrolled lunge on Griffith as he cut in from the left flank.

United did carve out a final chance when Kenny Strickland beat his man but smashed his effort wide of the near post.

Though the sendings off didn't change the course of the contest they certainly made life easier for the Yeltz in the closing stages.

The fully deserved victory continues Halesowen's impressive form and perfectly sets up the Christmas cracker on Boxing Day against rivals Stourbridge.

Halesowen: Sargeant, Green, Griffiths, Forde (Mackenzie 77), Hull (c), Tilt, Kettle, Tonks, Thompson-Brown, Haseley (Daniels 75), Bragoli (Turner 77).

Unused subs: Christie, Pearson.

Skelmersdale: Hibbert, Wylie, Short, McIntosh (c), Bodie, Kirkbride, Fernandes, Burton, Mitchley, McCarthy, Stickland.

Unused subs: Thompson, Mooney, Meaney, Wright, Bakkor. Att: 401.