CHAIRMAN Colin Brookes has heaped praise on Halesowen Town’s recent centre back pairing.

Brookes thinks the form of young Kyle Morrison alongside the experience of Asa Charlton has played a big part in the club’s five game unbeaten run in the Northern Premier League.

That run continued last Saturday as they Yeltz fought back to claim a point at home to Barwell.

A second half strike from Keyon Reffell levelled matters at 1-1.

Brookes said: “I think a lot of praise should go to Morrison and Charlton over the last few weeks.

“We lost Joe Hull, who is one of our most important players, and Bradley Lewis at the back and it could have been a big blow to us. It could have really set us back but Asa and Kyle have come in and done really well.

“The form this season of Dan Platt should also be mentioned because he suffered a nasty injury in pre-season but came back and has kept Matt Sargeant, who was the manager’s player of the year last season, out of the side. Sargeant has now moved on looking for more games and that is a credit to Platt.

“Add to that our full backs and we have a really good unit.

“We now need to just be a little more clinical in front of goal when the chances come our way. That’s the only thing we’re missing at the moment. Sort that and we can only continue to improve.”

The Yeltz could have gone up to fifth had they beaten Barwell at the Grove last weekend but Brookes is happy with a point.

“You could argue that we should have won it, especially after we came back, but I think a draw is a fair result,” he added.

“It’s another point towards staying up. That is still my first goal.”

Hales will welcome bottom club Ramsbottom this Saturday (3pm kick off).

However, the visitors now have a new manager and go into the game on the back of last weekend’s success over Rushall Olympic.

“We won’t be taking them lightly,” insisted Brookes. “The new manager has clearly got a reaction and this league is very unpredictable anyway.

“But it is a good chance to pick up three points in front of our home fans.”

Town’s squad is set to be bolstered before Saturday as soon as the club receives international clearance for the new addition.

Meanwhile, Halesowen have been handed a tie against Sutton Coldfield Town in the Integro Doodson League Cup Second Round.

The match will be played on Tuesday, December 1 at 7.45pm subject to confirmation.

Halesowen and Sutton last met in the league cup back in 2008 at Coles Lane in somewhat emphatic circumstances. The tie was level at 1-1at full time with defender Jack Allward stepping in for goalkeeper Nick Bussey who was sent off after half time. Allward took all the plaudits in a shoot-out by first saving from Jamille Matt and then converting Halesowen’s final spot kick.