AFC Solihull’s quest for promotion will go to the final day, after a 4-0 win away to AFC Church keeps alive their hopes of claiming the second and final promotion spot into MFL Division 2.
Currently leading a three-team chase for second, with Continental Star and Coventry Plumbing also vying for promotion with one and three games in hand respectively, Solihull know a final-day win is paramount to help bolster their chances.
They initially responded slowly to losing the title decider with Alcester Town the previous week, as Church dominated with some high-quality play.
But eventually their first chance of the afternoon was crafted against the run of play, allowing Andy Matthews to divert the ball home via the post after rounding the keeper.
The visitors returned after the break full of life, and threatened through a couple of corners, at which a Tom Reynolds header was superbly tipped over by Wes Garfield.
A second of the game arrived for Solihull when a corner was cleared, only as far as Kieran Evans, who’s drive goalwards deflected in at the near post to give AFC a cushioned lead.
His afternoon became even more memorable, when he hit what could be a goal of the season contender.
He swivelled on the ball with his back to goal and slammed a half-volley darting into the top corner.
Confidence was flowing through Solihull’s play, and so it proved as they earned a penalty after some pressure on the Church penalty area.
Evans was provided for the chance to seal a memorable hat-trick, and did just that when sending Garfield the wrong way to wrap up the scoring.
Solihull are now three points clear in second, but face a huge fixture against promotion rivals Coventry Plumbing in just over a week’s time at Tudor Grange on Saturday May 11 (3pm).
