PREPARATIONS are well underway for the second leg of the Worcestershire Senior Cup and what a contrast it has been to the Bees league fortune.

They might be scrapping for every little crumb of a point they can lay their hands on as they fight for their lives in the Alliance but Studley again put in a massive performance as the Worcester Senior Cup came to a head against Halesowen.

After the 90 minutes were up the Yeltz had left the Beehive with a more than decent draw. Nick Smith's 54th minute equaliser cancelled out Anthony Savery's 26th minute opener from the spot but on the balance of chances the Bees could and should have edged it against their opponents who are two leagues above.

Halesowen defender Steve Pope had his appearance cut short on 13 minutes after leaving the field via a stretcher. He was replaced by Lewis Baker.

Twenty minutes later and Savery lashed home his spot kick when the referee spotted an infringement.

Studley should have made it two when Savery's neat flick on found Kevin Jones on 39 minutes but the pacy frontman's attempted lob was too ambitious. Deep into stoppage time Mark Neath had the chance to flight a ball into the danger area for the last time before half time. Savery got his head to the ball but his header sailed just wide.

Halesowen boss Paul Holleran must have had something to say to his side at the interval as the Yeltz came out of the traps quickest for the second half. Striker Smith netted the equaliser ten minutes after the restart but after then the visitors again rarely troubled Studley.

Five minutes later Bees striker Jones beat two Halesowen players before laying the ball off to Savery on the edge of the area. It seemed like an eternity by the time the unmarked striker managed to get his shot off. When he did Halesowen keeper Chris Taylor beat the ball out of the danger area well.

On 64 minutes Jones used his pace once again to foil the now tiring visiting defence but again Taylor saved well to keep his side in touch for the second leg.

It's not the first time this season that the Bees have put in a performance of the same ilk. Moor Green, Bromsgrove Rovers, Evesham United have all fallen to Kevin Rowlands men along the way to the two leg final.

Don't take anything away from Halesowen. The Yeltz had reached the final after embarrassing Redditch United 5-0 at Valley Stadium in the other semi.

Studley: Craig Johnson, Simon Dawe (Andy Grubb 78), Jason Dyer, Trevor Whittington, Scott Walsh, Danny Styles, Kieron Cross, Anthony Savery, Kevin Jones, Adam Blake, Mark Neath (Kenny Fergie 85). Subs not used: Richard Strain, Mark Sanders Vinney Rattray.

Halesowen Town: Chris Taylor, Ian Cooper, Simon Forsdick, Nick Preston, Steve Pope (Lewis Baker 13), Nick Amos, Alex Cowley, Jimmy Haaroff (Andy Spencer 80), Nathan Lamey (Jason Moore 69), Nick Smith, Stuart Skidmore. Subs not used: Anthony Bowater.