TWO goals in the final four minutes ensured that Earlswood picked up their first victory of the Midland League Division Two season at home to Continental Star on Saturday.
Nicholas Cox and Mark O’Donnell scored the goals as Earlswood got their home campaign off to the perfect start at Malthouse Lane.
Both teams cancelled each other out for most of the game with both goalkeepers having to make very few saves.
Earlswood goalkeeper Daniel Rushe was the first goalkeeper to be called into action on 12 minutes when he came off his line to collect the ball off the toe of a Star player.
Cox was denied a route at goal following a timely tackle before on 22 minutes Rushe produced a superb full stretch save to keep his clean sheet intact, while at the other end Simon Quigley hit a shot wide of the visitors’ post.
In the first ten minutes of the second half both teams created chances in the penalty area but they were unable to find a breakthrough.
With 67 minutes on the clock Anton Nunes made a neat run down the right and sent a dangerous cross into the box which was inches too high for the Mark O’Donnell, whose header drifted wide of the target.
With 15 minutes remaining O’Donnell forced the visiting goalkeeper into a smart save and as the final whistle neared the breakthrough finally came four minutes from time.
Cox was brought down inside and O’Donnell made no mistake from the spot and from the next attack Earlswood doubled their lead when two minutes from time Nicholas Cox ended a terrific run by firing the ball powerfully into the corner of the net.
