Halesowen Town 2, Workington 0

GOALS from Greg Pearson and substitute Isaac Cooper brought an end to Halesowen's three-game losing run.

The Yeltz bagged their second success of the season with a solid showing against last season's runners-up Workington at The Grove today.

Pearson struck in the first half before Cooper wrapped up the much-needed points late in the second period.

It was game of few chances as the Hales defence remained on top to limit their visitors to only rare sighters at Matt Sargeant's goal.

It was the Yeltz that enjoyed the better of things in the first half.

John Hill's men defended well when required and posed a good threat going forwards thanks to the direct running of the returning Jean-Michel Gueyes and the powerful play of forward Pearson.

It was Pearson that fired the Yeltz into an early 8th minutes lead.

A Jay Denny free kick from the left flank was headed down well by Joe Hull to the feet of Pearson. He turned and fired into the bottom corner past Alex Mitchell in the Workington goal.

The strike lifted the home side and they grew as the half wore on.

Importantly, they limited their visitors to very few opportunities to threaten.

Defender Calvert headed a free kick over the bar just after the 20 minute mark before Sargeant collected bravely at the feet of Allison on 39 minutes.

But that was all they managed as hard-working Hales hunted in packs to limit them before the break.

Like the first, the second half was also short of real openings for either side.

Dean Waldron, who supported Pearson well from a deeper role all afternoon, headed a cross from substitute Luke Connolly on target but into the hands of Mitchell just before the hour mark.

The decisive moment came out of nowhere in the 73rd minute when lively substitute Cooper chanced down what looked a lost cause on the left wide.

He nipped in and robbed full back Jake Simpson as he waited for the ball to run out for a goal kick.

He burst into the box before firing under Mitchell as he eventually came of his line to try and deal with the danger.

As the visitors continued to find it hard break down the Halesowen defence, the hosts suddenly had a flurry of late opportunities.

Skipper Jay Denny fired over after good work from Waldron before the latter then failed to get a solid connection onto a Luke Connolly ball into the box.

The Yeltz could have also sealed the success in brilliant fashion after Cooper rattled the bar before the end with a fine dripping effort from half way inside the Workington half.

The victory lifts Hales after a difficult start to the new campaign and offers a platform on which Hill can look to build, especially as his new-look side begin to some show signs of understanding.

Halesowen: Sargeant, Morrison (Connolly 45), Griffiths, Denny (c), Hull, Westwood, Charles, Waldron, Pearson (Collins 83), McGee (Cooper 69), Jean-Michel Gueyes.

Unused subs: Amenku, Platt.

Workington: Mitchell, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Calvert, Earl (Tymon 54), McLuckie, Wright, Allison, McGee (Salmon 75), Tinnion.

Unused subs: Arnison, Smith, McCarthy.

Att: 337.