HALESOWEN Town boss John Hill has praised the way his players reacted after a disappointing opening-day defeat.

The Yeltz fought out a 1-1 draw at home to Corby Town on Tuesday night as they endeavoured to put last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Buxton behind them.

Ethan Delaney levelled for the hosts before half time before a spirited second-half showing that pleased the manager.

Hill said: “The performance against Buxton was very poor but the reaction to that was pleasing to see.

“We started slowly against Corby and took a while to get going as we tried out a new shape and system. But once we settled down I thought we were the better team, especially in the second half. We could even have nicked it at the end.”

The boss thinks injuries played their part in his side’s poor start to the campaign last weekend.

A host of first-team players, including Kyle Haynes, Ashley Parsons-Smith, Brad Lewis, Mike Turner and Ethan Delaney, have all struggled for fitness in recent weeks.

“We have had a lot of injury problems to contend with over pre-season and I think we carried that into our first game,” added Hill.

“We just had to get bodies on the bench at Buxton and we also lost Mike Turner in the warm up. It has made it difficult for us.

“I don’t read too much into pre-season results but we had a mixed bag and a lot of players didn’t get the game time we would have liked.

“It is something we are having to contend with but the players have shown they have the character to deal with it.

“We are now looking to bring a few more players in and have already made a couple of approaches.”

The Yeltz have already bolstered their ranks with the arrival of powerful defender Richard Sho Silva on-loan from Kidderminster Harriers.

The 24-year-old has spent the summer with Harriers and made his debut for Hill’s men against Corby on Tuesday.

London-born Silva signed for the Harriers from American Soccer League side Philadelphia Fury after impressing on trial.

Hill added: “He will hopefully be a good addition for us. He looks to have a lot of potential and is a threat in the opposition box as well.”

The Yeltz will now welcome Blyth Spartans to the Grove this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

They will be without absent duo Callum Williams and Delaney as well as Parsons-Smith, who has a long-term ligament injury.

Meanwhile, Halesowen Town have been drawn at home to either Coleshill Town or Dudley Sports in the FA Cup First Round Qualifying draw.

The tie is set to be played on Saturday, September 3 (3pm kick off), which is also national Non League Day. Any replay will take place on or before Thursday, September 8.