British Gas Business Football League Premier Division Tuesday 5 September 2006 - The Grove - kick off 7.45pm

Report taken from by Richard Gadsby

City had the best of a lively opening spell and took the lead early on when Lewis Hogg raced into the six yard box to blast the ball home. But, as the half wore on, Halesowen slowly started to take the upper hand. The upper hand soon turned into an iron grip and the home side should have gone on to score at least three before the break. Halesowen's pressure told eventually and they grabbed a deserved equaliser when an unfortunate slip from Chris Holland allowed Alex Cowley to nip in and cross for Paul Szewczyk to finish from close range. With the half coming to a close City were on the ropes but still managed to take a surprise lead. Scott Partridge swung a free-kick to the back post and Coupe, in inspired form all night, steered a header past the diving keeper from the tightest of angles.

It was harsh on Halesowen, and it seemed to get to them as they were put under some severe City pressure at the start of the second half. A great dummy from Justin Pritchard set up Scott Partridge who managed to turn his man and rocket home a real beauty into the top-left corner to make it 3-2. Back came Halesowen and within two minutes it was all square for a third time. Simon Forsdick broke clear down the right and keeper Paul Evans could only watch as Cowley tapped home from close range. Both sides sensed the next goal would seal it and City's instincts proved sharpest. With six minutes to go a McKeever corner swung out towards the edge of the area for Chris Holland to rise and power a low header through a crowd of players into the bottom left corner. A gutteral roar from Coupe at the final whistle summed up just how important this win was after Saturday's disappointing defeat and, although Halesowen can consider themselves unlucky to come away from the game without a point, the better footballing side won on the night.