Second league win of the season for Earlswood Town - The Solihull Observer

Second league win of the season for Earlswood Town

Solihull Editorial 14th Sep, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

EARLSWOOD Town bounced back from last week’s disappointing 5-0 defeat away at Droitwich to record their second win of the season away at Leamington Hibernian in the Midland League Division One.

A narrow 2-1 victory lifts Earlswood four places in the table tenth with seven games of the new season played so far.

The hosts were first on the attack but a dangerous free kick was cleared by Anton Nune while at the other end Michael Cox saw his header drop the wrong side of the post.

In the 18th minute Hibs were awarded a free kick just outside the Earlswood penalty area and the resultant header was saved by Daniel Rushe.




After a short spell of pressure the home side took the lead in the 22nd minute when Jon Windle was beaten down the left flank and his cross reached an unmarked Sam Smith who steered the ball into the back of the net.

Earlswood reacted and Cox was unlucky to see his header well saved by the home goalkeeper before moments later Barrett was put through but his effort went wide.


As Earlswood pressed for an equaliser Hibs broke away and a shot from midway in the Earlswood half came back off their cross bar.

Six minutes before the break Mark O’Donnell headed just wide while at the other end a minute before the break Rushe did well to dive full length to push a deflected shot out for a corner.

After a half time pep talk from manager Andrew Struthers, Earlswood went straight onto the attack in the second half and the home keeper came to their rescue on a couple of occasions.

In the 55th minute Simon Quigley headed just wide but 11 minutes later Stephen Barrett was pulled down in the Hibs penalty area and after a penalty was awarded Mark O’Donnell stepped up to slot home the resultant spot kick.

The host did have a couple of sporadic attacks but they came to nothing and after Earlswood brought on a couple of substitutes mid-way through the second half including new signing Zach Martin, there was only going to be one winner.

In the 80th minute O’Donnell tried a long range effort when he saw the home keeper off his line but the ball just cleared the cross bar.

Earlswood did however take the lead three minutes from time when Zach Martin shot from outside the Hibs penalty box and the ball flew into the top corner of the net to earn the visitors all three points.

Earlswood host Fairfield Villa this Saturday.

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