TOM Kinsey’s early goal helped Earlswood Town end their 11-game winless run with a 1-0 victory away at Solihull rivals Hampton.
Kinsey’s eighth goal of the season proved decisive at Field Lane as the Earls won for the first time since November whilst Alex Considine was sent off for Hampton.
The result means Earlswood sit 10th in the Midland Football League Division Two table with four matches left to play.
And the visitors made the perfect start when Kinsey struck after eight minutes as the striker poked home from close range after Steve Ruck’s initial shot was saved.
The Earls were handed a further boost just before the half-hour mark when Hampton’s Considine saw red following a bust up with Earls midfielder George Curry who escaped with a yellow card.
And the visitors were indebted to goalkeeper Tom Day for remaining in front at the break as he palmed away Matthew Garbett’s header before then denying the forward with his foot moments later.
Earlswood looked to stretch their lead in the second period as Ruck saw a shot blocked before Louis Bridges’ free-kick went narrowly over the crossbar.
However, the Earls were forced to defend for the final 20 minutes as Hampton piled on the pressure but Tom Reynolds’ men held firm to secure the points and record a first clean sheet since October.
Earlswood are next in action away at Fairfield Villa on Saturday, April 22 with kick-off at 3pm at the Recreation Ground.
