HALESOWEN Town chairman Colin Brookes is looking forward to a mouth-watering run of fixtures.

The Yeltz will take on an improving Nantwich Town away this Saturday before they travel to title contenders FC United of Manchester on Tuesday night.

The return fixture against FC United will soon follow after a home game against fourth-placed Ashton and an away trip to Whitby.

"I think we'll have a big say who win this league," declared Brookes. "It is an exciting time having to face the teams in second and fourth place, and we still have the derby against Stourbridge to look forward to as well.

"We go into the games on a brilliant run and without any pressure on us after reaching our target of 50 points already. It couldn't be better."

The Yeltz have extended their unbeaten run to nine games with back-to-back goalless draws.

Last Saturday's away game at fifth-placed Workington and Tuesday night's visit of Curzon Ashton both ended 0-0.

They left Brookes full of praise for Halesowen's defensive grit.

He said: "The team as a whole knows how to defend. They all know their jobs and where they have to be when they lose the ball. It is great to see.

"Joe Hull, Curtis Tilt and Kris Green have all been very good, as has Aaron Ford in that defensive midfield role.

"It is a credit to the coaching team because the whole squad is responsible for how hard they are to beat."

Meanwhile, Joel Kettle has now left the club and joined up with Sutton Coldfield Town.

Club officials have said they were disappointed that he has opted to leave after being a key part of the team this season.

Kettle made a total of 30 appearances for Halesowen, scoring two goals in the process.

He had spells with Sutton Coldfield Town previously from August 2012 before joining Stourbridge last year as cover. He then joined the Yeltz in the Summer of 2014.

Recent weeks have seen a slight reshuffle in the Halesowen squad after forward Robert Thompson-Brown also headed for the exit.

However, striker Aaron Lloyd has now linked up after signing from Causeway United and came off the bench against Curzon Ashton.

It is also hoped that new midfielder Jake Jones will soon be available following a bout of illness and hamstring trouble.