Old Hales make it 3 from 3.

Old Halesonians mens first XI showed their title credentials in a one sided affair at KEFW this weekend. Spared the worst of the early morning weather Hales took to the pitch confidently having beaten a combined Harborne 1/2s in pre-season. This confidence showed in the early phases of the game as Hales asserted themselves moving the ball quickly around the back and opening channels for the forwards to play into. Despite a couple of early penalty corner opportunities going begging, Hales found their opener on the ten minute mark when Captain Cole Hickman slid the ball across the circle into the path of striker Connor Reid who calmly swept into the net. The second and third goals followed in an almost indentical manner, a baseline drive with the ball squared, first to young midfielder Dan Richards, who made no mistake in scoring his first goal for the 1's, and then Chris Whiley who deflected in off the keepers pads to put the game firmly in Hales control. Despite some Harborne resistance at this point, Hales stretched their lead again when Hickman, Reid and Chris Hill combined in the circle before Hill blasted into the net, leaving the away goalkeeper with no chance.

At the interval Hales had a stern team talk about game management and set about frustrating their opponents with resolute defending and confident passing on the ball. A frustrated Harborne side began to step of their men and these gaps were exploited by Hill once again who finished off a well work team move to register his 5th goal of the season thus far. Two minutes later Reid added his own second deflecting a short corner move into the net to further stretch the advantage. As both teams tired in the last 10 minutes the quality of chances decreased with Hales perhaps guilty of taking their foot of the gas and coasting over line.