FC Halifax Town fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Solihull Moors in the Vanarama National League.
A first half goal from Martin Woods was cancelled out by James Ball before a wonder striker from Kyle Hudlin settled the result.
Halifax immediately started on the front foot, winning a free kick 30 yards out in a central position. Luke Summerfield stepped up but could not keep his effort down as Ryan Boot watched it go comfortably over the bar.
Despite only having ten men on the pitch, due to Jake Hyde’s injury, Town took the lead. A free kick routine got Summerfield just outside the box, his cross came in and Woods got his head to it to make it 1-0 to the Shaymen.
Just two minutes later and Solihull Moors made it level. A free kick caused some initial confusion in the Town box, and the ball fell to Ball who hit a powerful strike past Sam Johnson who had no chance.
Town started the second half stronger. An early Summerfield effort gave the Shaymen a corner after a good save. Three successive corners were put behind by Solihull defenders. The fourth found its way to Jeff King on the edge of the box but his shot went comfortably wide.
Halifax continued to press as they won another corner. Great combination work between Danny Williams and substitute Gevaro Nepomuceno got Town in behind, but the low cross was cut out for a corner.
Solihull got their second of the game in the 56th minute. A long ball fell to the feet of Hudlin. A good turn from the striker and his shot found the top corner, again leaving Johnson no chance.
Both sides struggled to create many clear-cut chances and Solihull won a corner on the 70th minute. As the cross came in a home player went down in the box as some appealed for a penalty. The referee gave nothing as Town got the ball away.
Town had a set-piece of their own not long after. Williams fouled as he made his way down the right wing. Summerfield’s cross was headed as far as King, but his shot went just over the bar.
As the Shaymen continued to push for an equaliser, Tom Bradbury had a cross cut out for another corner. Summerfield swung the cross in, but the header went narrowly wide of the far post.
With just minutes left on the clock, Town hit the post. Substitute Jack Senior fired a cross into the path of Neill Byrne. The centre back looked to have got the equaliser, but the upright denied him. Kieran Green went for a bicycle kick to follow it up, but he could only find the side netting.
The result sees the Shaymen drop to 16th on goal difference. Solihull climb to 10th in the league. Town have a break in the League as they face Hartlepool United this Saturday in the FA Trophy.
Match Stats:
Solihull Moors: 1 Ryan Boot; 2 Tyrone Williams; 3 Jordan Cranston; 4 Kyle Storer ©; 8 Stephen Gleeson; 10 Jamey Osborne (7 Joe Sbarra 79’); 12 Cameron Coxe; 18 Jimmy Ball; 24 Mitch Hancox; 27 Kyle Hudlin; 28 Krystian Pearce
Unused subs: 11 Jamie Ward; 13 Niall Clayton; 15 Callum Maycock; 25 Cameron Archer
FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson; 5 Neill Byrne; 31 Niall Maher ©; 6 Tom Bradbury (3 Jack Senior 85’); 2 Jeff King; 11 Danny Williams; 19 Luke Summerfield; 26 Martin Woods; 10 Jack Earing (8 Kieran Green 85’); 9 Jake Hyde (15 Gevaro Nepomuceno 22’); 39 Nyal Bell
Unused subs: 12 Harrison Davison-Hale; 32 Neil Danns
Referee: Elliott Swallow
Assistants: Paul Tomes & Luke Scott
4th Official: Martyn Gospel
Yellow cards: Osborne 13’, Woods 33’, Gleeson 45’, Maher 61’, Byrne 77’, Storer 90’
Red cards: N/A
Goals: Woods 22’, Ball 24’, Hudlin 56’
Solihull Moors 2 FC Halifax Town 1
Read more posts by Luke Davis
;
