TYRIKE Richards’ strike just before the hour mark was enough to condemn Earlswood Town to their third-successive defeat in Midland Football League Division Two, going down at the hands of Coventry Alvis.
A drab affair was lit up by Richards’ moment of quality, in a match that the Earls finished with ten men – following an injury to Andy Matthews with all three substitutes already used.
The visitors enjoyed the better share of possession in the opening half at The Pavilions, but it was Earlswood who forced the best openings of the half, going close through efforts from Danny Holliday and Jon Hamer from promising positions.
With the second half following in the same manner, the deadlock was eventually broken when Dildale Linton’s flick on into Richards was fired first time into the back of the net.
A huge save by Jack Hartopp denied Earls’ striker Matthews in a one on one, moments before his injury ended both his afternoon and effectively Town’s chances of salvaging a point.
The Earls now pick themselves up ahead of their first participation in this year’s Les James Challenge Cup, visiting AFC Solihull on Saturday (3pm) in a local derby at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre.
