Halesowen Town advanced to the next round of the cup competition following a 2-0 victory over Mickleover in challenging blustery conditions. The match, contested on Saturday, saw Halesowen’s striker Jason Cowley score both goals, securing the win for the Southern League side against their Northern Premier League Midlands Division opponents.

Mickleover started the game strongly, with goalkeeper Dan Platt making key early interventions, including a catch on a fourth-minute cross and a save from a 13th-minute shot by Jude Taylor. Kane Richards also came close for Mickleover, narrowly missing with a curled free kick.

Halesowen broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Vanylson Silva delivered a low cross from the left flank, which Samson Hewett expertly laid off at the far post for Cowley to tap in from close range. The Yeltz continued to grow in confidence as the first half wore on, with Cowley testing the goalkeeper with a shot just past the post and striking the crossbar in the final minute before halftime.

Early in the second half, Cowley doubled Halesowen’s lead in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a cross from Dan Meredith on the right side. He was able to squeeze the ball past Mickleover goalkeeper Aaron Chapman, increasing the visitors’ advantage.

Mickleover threatened sporadically as Samson Hewett sent an acrobatic attempt over the bar in the 63rd minute, and Silva’s free kick narrowly missed the target in the 70th minute. However, the Yeltz maintained control and were never seriously threatened as the game progressed.

Cowley continued to pose a danger with late opportunities, clipping a shot just wide before unleashing a powerful 20-yard strike saved by Chapman in the closing moments.

The 2-0 result sends Halesowen Town confidently into the next phase of the competition, with Cowley’s performance underlining his importance to the team’s cup ambitions.