Non-league previews: Penn hoping Halesowen can begin busy festive season 'with a bang'
Russell Penn is hoping his Halesowen Town can begin their busy festive season “with a bang” against fellow Southern Central Premier title contenders AFC Telford United.
The Yeltz visit New Bucks Head on Boxing Day looking for their third win in a row and to go top of the league standings. But they will face a tough test in Kevin Wilkin’s Telford who sit one place below them in third and with one loss in their last seven league matches.
After an excellent start to the campaign that has seen 12 wins from 20 games, including seven from the last nine, Penn says his side will go into the Telford clash with confidence.
“We have got to go there and be well-organised,” said the Halesowen boss. “It’s a very good team, against a very good manager, a team that were probably promotion favourites at the start of the season.
“We want to go into this next round of games and start with a bang, that begins on Thursday.
“I have been delighted with the last two to three months. I think we have hit some real consistency, keeping the players as fit as we can has helped, and adding a few players here and there has been great.
“The vibe is good at the moment but the league is that ruthless you have to be on it at all times.
“I don’t really need to motivate my players going into the game.
“These are the games you want to be a part of. The Boxing Day festive games always bring a few extra supporters, and I am expecting a nice healthy crowd so that should motivate the lads even more.”
Penn’s side are back on the road just two days later, visiting Bedworth United on Saturday before they welcome Bromsgrove Sporting on New Year’s Day, in what is a busy run of fixtures.
League and local rivals Stourbridge go to Bromsgrove themselves on Boxing Day, looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven league matches.
Liam McDonald’s side currently occupy fifth, eight points from top spot.
In National League North, Kidderminster Harriers travel to fellow promotion contenders Hereford (1pm).
Phil Brown’s side boast impressive form, having lost just once in their last 10 league matches and are eying up top spot of which they sit two points adrift from.
Meanwhile, strugglers Rushall Olympic host Oxford City looking for their first league win since October 5.
