A YOUNG Earlswood Town team secured their first win of the season in the Midland Division Two after goals from Declan Staunton and substitute Lewis James saw them record a 2-0 win at Barnt Green Spartak.
The hosts looked dangerous early on with Earlswood goalkeeper Dan Rushie being called into action twice and they also fired narrowly wide of goal on 15 minutes.
But Earlswood soon created opportunities for themselves by forcing Barnt Green keeper Ken Saunders into two good saves.
On 20 minutes Jamie Corrigan was put through for Earlswood but although his effort beat Saunders it just scraped the outside of the post before going out for a goal kick.
Earlswood had another chance just past the half-hour mark when Marcus Small was put through but he hit his shot just over the cross bar before the visitors had an appeal for a handball inside the area turned down.
Just minutes after the break Earlswood got their noses in front thanks to Declan Staunton who was put through by Ben Johnson and he beat the Barnt Green keeper with a low finish.
After 61 minutes the home team were awarded a free kick outside the Earlswood penalty box but a headed chance flew well wide.
With 20 minutes remaining the hosts were reduced to ten men and the visitors made the most of their man advantage by scoring a second 16 minutes from time.
Aubstitute James beat a defender and cut inside before firing a low shot under the diving Saunders and into the net.
Barnt Green threatened the Earlswood goal late on but they could find no breakthrough.
Next up for Earlswood is a home clash against Bromsgrove Sporting in the Smedley-Crooke Cup.
