TOM Reynolds’ Earlswood Town were undone by a freak goal in their Midlands Football League Division Two opener against Northfield Town on Saturday.
A cross from Adam Williams just five minutes in the game was overhit from the right flank and looped over everyone, including the Earlswood goalkeeper, to put the hosts on the back foot straight away.
Northfield almost doubled their lead ten minutes later, when a goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by the Earls’ new player-manager Reynolds, but the hosts began to claw their way back into the game with efforts from forwards Andy Matthews and Joel Hughes that crept past the post.
Former Worcester midfielder Gary Walker then sent a half-volley wide in the second half as Earlswood continued to knock on the door.
But even with chances falling to Cam Knight, Brad Littlehales and Matt Green, the Earls were unable to rescue a point, as Northfield began their title defence with a victory.
Earlswood visit Coventry Alvis on Wednesday night (7.30pm), as they look for an immediate response in their first away trip of the season.
