FC Halifax Town held out for a 2-1 win against Solihull Moors. A Liam McAlinden brace gave the home-side three points.
McAlinden getting his fourth and fifth of the season gave The Shaymen the win to put them second after a long August.
Despite a slow start to the game, Solihull created the first chance. Jamey Osbourne did well to hold Liam Nolan off before winning a free kick. Good cross but the header was easy for Sam Johnson to catch.
There was very little action before Halifax opened the scoring on 15 minutes. A long kick from Johnson found Tobi Sho-Silva who flicked it on to McAlinden. Some good footwork in the box gave him some space before he fired home.
Seven minutes later and Town could have doubled their lead. Sho-Silva with a great run into the box, fired a shot but Solihull just about blocked it for a corner. Jerome Binnom-Williams took and found Nathan Clarke at the back. The centre-back brought it down and despite a slip, managed to get a shot off which Solihull cleared.
The last chance of the half fell to Solihull. Binnom-Williams headed behind to give away a corner. Taken by Mitch Hancox, he could only find Clarke who headed behind for a second corner. Terry Hawkridge took this time, but Town did well to clear.
McAlinden doubles Town leads just four minutes after the restart. A perfect through-ball put him one on one with the keeper. A drilled shot hit the post and into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Solihull pulled one back in the 56th minute. Substitute Alex Nicholls with an instant impact on the game. Matt Stenson with a good run into the box, squared it to Nicholls who tapped it past Johnson.
Solihull thought they’d got the equaliser just past the hour mark. Nicholls once again causing problems as he tapped home, but the linesman flagged for offside.
Town with another dangerous attack. King carrying the ball forward, sent it wide for Nolan. Nolan did well to cut it back, and his shot was straight at Ryan Boot. The keeper spilled it but recovered before Sho-Silva had a chance to capitalise.
Jack Earing did well out wide to pull it back to King. His shot was blocked and won Town a corner. Binnom-Williams with the cross found Clarke. His header went wide to Binnom-Williams, but the referee blew for a foul.
Nolan with the first booking of the game. He picked up a yellow for a poor challenge, leaving the referee no choice.
Corner to Solihull taken by Hawkridge. Cleared away by Clarke. Solihull follow it up and only a world-class save from Johnson kept Town ahead.
Quick throw-in from Town found King. A good run into the box gave him a chance to shoot. King chose to square it and Solihull cleared it away.
With just five minutes of normal time remaining, Binnom-Williams made a good block to give Solihull a corner. Taken short to Darren Carter, he found his man at the back post, but the header went well over the bar.
King with a wild challenge on his man gets himself a yellow card. Taken quickly but Sho-Silva hoofed it away for a throw.
Town now sit second in the National League, whilst Solihull drop down to seventh. The Shaymen now travel to Chesterfield on Tuesday to face a side without a win this season.
[1] Sam Johnson; [2] Michael Duckworth, [4] Nathan Clarke, [5] Matty Brown © OFF (58′), [3] Jerome Binnom-Williams; [14] Josh Staunton, [6] Liam Nolan; [7] Jamie Allen, [20] Jeff King, [15] Liam McAlinden; [11] Tobi Sho-Silva
Subs: [12] Will Appleyard, [10] Cameron King, [8] Jack Earing ON (58′) , [17] Josh McDonald, [16] Jacob Hanson
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