HOPWOOD Swifts returned to winning ways and closed the gap on leaders Sutton United with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against lowly Hollyfields, writes Neil Gordon.
Cam Jones bagged a brace to give Swifts a comfortable half-time lead at Charford Road before Louie Humphries reduced the deficit for 11th-placed visitors Hollyfields.
Swifts remain unbeaten at home in Division One of the Birmingham and District Football League since making Charford Road their new base earlier this season
Hopwood have four victories and one draw to put them second in the table, just three points behind favourites Sutton in the title race.
Jones put Swifts in the driving seat as half-time approached with a quickfire double.
Firstly, he beat the offside trap before steering the ball past advancing Hollyfields goalkeeper Marco Zizzi to open the scoring.
Then, in stoppage time, Jones bagged his second when heading home Brandon Aston’s pinpoint cross from the right.
Shortly after the interval, Erdington-based Hollyfields reduced the deficit when the determined Humphries somehow managed to find the net from an acute angle on the left, despite the best actions of a Swifts defender on the line.
And both teams had further chances to score in a game affected by strong swirling winds, with Hopwood seeing out time to collect maximum points.
Hopwood manager Matt Lewis said: “It was good to return to winning ways despite this being a scrappy game not helped by strong winds.
“We’re keen to put in a title challenge this season, and it was good to close the gap on leaders Sutton United.”
Hopwood entertain North Solihull on Saturday, February 7, at Charford Road. Kick-off is 2.30pm and admission free.
