Halesowen Town 2

Studley 0

(Halesowen win 3-1 on aggregate)

FORMER Redditch United winger Alex Cowley netted twice to see off Studley's chances of silverware this season.

The Bees turned up at The Grove hoping to better their first leg draw with Halesowen but Cowley scored before and after the break to put the game beyond the visitors.

Bees boss Kevin Rowlands had tried to rest as many players as he could before the tie but his plan soon unravelled as pacy striker Kevin Jones retired before the end of the first half. This was soon followed by skipper Mark Neath and centre back Jason Dyer at the start of the second period.

With 11 minutes on the clock the Bees had a wake up call as Cowley's inswinging corner was met by the head of Nick Amos. Fortunately his effort was scrambled off the line by Richard Strain.

Three minutes later and Halesowen were in the lead as Cowley picked the ball up outside of the area before unleashing a wickedly curling effort with the outside of his right foot giving Studley keeper Craig Johnson no chance.

Just before the break and seconds after Studley's Vinney Rattray had replaced Jones came Studley's best chance of the game. Anthony Savery moved up front with Andy Grubb and the man named Sav laid on the perfect ball for his new strike partner only to see his first effort rattle the crossbar and his follow-up acrobatically crashed over.

Halesowen again came out of the blocks for the second half on top and Cowley added to his first as Simon Forsdick's cross was headed on target by Amos. Bees keeper Johnson saved well only to see Cowley slot home the rebound.

The Yeltz continued to pressure until the whistle and with five minutes to go Studley sub Rattray was given a straight red as he fouled Nathan Lamey outside the area.

After the game Rowlands said: "We didn't perform to our potential but the main thing was that we didn't embarrass ourselves and we certainly didn't do that.

"To finish at 3-1 with a team who are more or less in the play-offs making them three leagues above us is no disgrace.

"It's been an amazing run in the cup but all cup runs come to an end.

"We've played and beaten some goof clubs to get to the final like Moor Green, Bromsgrove and Evesham so we've given this club a good name."

Studley: Craig Johnson, Kieron Cross, Richard Strain, Jason Dyer (Trevor Whittington 45), Scott Walsh, Adam Blake, Robert Ager, Anthony Savery, Kevin Jones (Vinney Rattray 40), Andy Grubb, Mark Neath (Brett Fleetwood 45). Subs not used: Danny Stiles, Andrew Johnson.

Halesowen Town: Chris Taylor, Stuart Skidmore, Lewis Baker, Nicki Preston, Steve Pope, Nick Smith, Alex Cowley, Jason Moore, Jimmy Haarhoff, Nick Amos, Simon Forsdick (Nathan Lamey 69). Subs not used: Dave Haywood, Anthony Bowater, Mark Gayle.

Attendance: 349