Russ Penn proud of everyone connected to Halesowen Town after play-off heartbreak
Manager Russ Penn was immensely proud of Halesowen Town after their season ended in a narrow play-off defeat against Shropshire side AFC Telford United.
The Yeltz led in the game when Kieren Donnelly opened the scoring midway through the first half, but the Bucks hit back before half-time with strikes from Dylan Allen-Hadley and Orrin Pendley to lead.
Charlie Wragg drew Halesowen level with 15 minutes left on the clock, but Matty Stenson got the winner moments later to make it 3-2 giving the Yeltz play-off heartache.
“Football is cruel,” Penn reflected. “I thought it was a top top game. A proper play-off match. It was end to end with two really good teams fighting for a chance to get into the final.
“We have just come out on the wrong side of it, unfortunately.
“Games are all about moments, and we are just on the wrong side of those. I could not be prouder of the players, the chairman, the board, the fans, the media team.
“I think the club has come a long way in 12 months, and I want this to be a platform now.
“There is no point in talking about the game it has gone. We have played 48 competitive games this season - it has been tough.
“The majority of the players have played in almost all of those, or been involved in them.
“We have had a real tight-knit squad, and we have just fallen short of getting promoted.”
Telford now go on to play against Kettering in a winner-takes-all match on Monday, while Penn and his players will use this opportunity to take stock and ‘re-energise’ with some holiday and family time planned.
The boss believes there is still plenty of progress his team can make.
“I want everyone to take stock and really kick on again,” he continued. ”It is nights like Wednesday where you look at it and go. I am proud of this football club.
“I think we can get better. We are all learning about each other. You have seen more of my team in the last 16 games than at the start of the season.
“I am still getting to know the league and the level - the grounds.
“I need a couple of days now. I am going to enjoy the break. It has been a tough year, and I need to re-energise, see the family a bit more.”
