Hill looks at positives after Belper blow (From Stourbridge News)

Hill looks at positives after Belper blow

2:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in Football

JOHN Hill says there is still plenty to be positive about despite the end of Halesowen Town’s winning run.

The Yeltz had won seven Northern League Division One South fixtures on the spin before losing a controversial game 3-1 to play-off rivals Belper Town on Tuesday night.

Defender Brendan Kelly was sent off just 13 minutes into the highly-anticipated clash after referee Scott Postin adjudged he had kept Richard Adams’ goal-bound shot with his hand.

Belper went ahead thanks to the resulting penalty and Hill felt the decision was harsh.

He said: “To be honest it was a tough call and I think the referee was in a position too far away to be 100 per cent sure.

“I think he made the decision too early.

“Brendan kind of turned his back on the ball and it hit him in the back area. There were fans behind the goal who say it didn’t hit his arm.

“It’s disappointing. In defence of the officials they only have a split second to make a decision but if they are not 100 per cent sure I don’t think they can.

“It was a double-whammy because they scored the penalty and we also lost a player.

“Belper are a tough enough proposition as it is without being a man down.”

Despite a battling performance from the hosts, Belper stretched their advantage through goals from Shaun Roulston and Shaun Tuton.

As if to prove it was not the Yeltz’s night, Ben Haseley then missed a penalty before Luke Corbett did score from the spot moments later for a consolation.

The defeat opened up a four point gap between fifth-placed Belper and Hill’s side, though the manager says his players should still take great confidence into away games at Northwich Victoria on Saturday and Kidsgrove Athletic next Tuesday.

He said: “Nobody wants to lose a game — particularly one against play-off rivals in front of your own supporters.

“But we played well, we battled hard, hit the bar and scored and missed a penalty.

“You could see it in the way the fans applauded the lads off, you could tell it was an appreciation of the effort they put in.

“I told them in the dressing room afterward the game circumstances dictated the result.

“There is no reason we shouldn’t go into Saturday’s game in a positive mood.

“We have some tough games coming up but there is still plenty to play for.”