AFC Solihull stayed on top of their MFL Division 3 perch after a 2-0 victory away to bottom side Leamington Hibernian.
The visitors were fully aware not to take the hosts for granted, given that they had gone out of the League Cup on penalties to them earlier in the season, but were able to secure the win after enduring a slow start to the game.
The long throw possessed by Leamington’s Brandon Walker proved a constant threat in Solihull’s penalty area, resulting in the crossbar being clattered after one particular throw-in during an otherwise drab first-half.
A change of formation did the trick for AFC after the break, moving into a 4-4-2 from a back three, which immediately stepped up the pressure they were able to apply on Hibernian.
And so it showed when on the hour, 17-year old Jamie Hyland was allowed the room to drive forwards and pearl a cross into the penalty area, which deceived every player inside the box as it floated into the far corner of the net.
Whether it was a stroke of luck or intentional, it served to build Solihull momentum en route to claiming a second, substitute Andy Matthews swung a cross into Jon Hamer to volley into the far corner and seal the points.
Sitting top of the league and level on points with Inkberrow, although having four games in hand on their rivals, sets AFC up nicely for the culmination of the season.
They next welcome 11th placed Wolverhampton University to Tudor Grange (3pm) on Saturday.
