YELTZ boss Paul Smith soon turned Brad Birch's dramatic U-turn into a positive by bringing in Ashley Sammons instead.

Birch had surprised Smith by returning to former club Stourbridge after agreeing terms to join Halesowen Town.

Smith said: "Nothing surprises me in football these days. I'd agreed terms with Brad and he'd even been down to the club and had his photograph taken with a Halesowen Town shirt.

"But I believe Stourbridge made him a better offer and he's gone back there.

"I'm just glad it happened now rather than closer to the start of the season.

"I only want people here who want to play for Halesowen Town."

As a result, I went out and got Ashley Sammons from Rushall Olympic. He'd previously played at Redditch United and was one of the players that Liam McDonald took when he went to Rushall.

"Ashley is a very creative midfield player and will line up alongside Robbie Bunn, George Forsyth and Josh Hawker. That's a great midfield at Step 3 level, let alone Step 4."

Smith has also recruited goalkeeper Brendan Bunn from Midland League side Coventry United.

He is the brother of Robbie Bunn and Smith added: "I had Brendan at Bromsgrove Sporting. He's only 22-years-old and I didn't think he was ready at the time and needed to go out and get games.

"His season at Coventry United has done him the world of good. I've had him watched and he's come on a great deal.

"Brendan will be working with Josh Coney but I also intend to bring in another goalkeeper, as I want competition for every place.

The Yeltz report back for training on Tuesday and Smith stressed: "I haven't arranged for any trialists to come in. I do have four or five players coming who I already know just to train with us, but really I only want players who will be part of the squad.

"We have to hit the ground running as we only have six sessions before we play Solihull Moors on July 6."

The Yeltz also travel to Boldmere on July 16 before entertaining Stourbridge on Saturday, July 20.

Halesowen also host Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, July 27 and then Alvechurch on Tuesday, July 30th.