FC Halifax Town ended a three-match winless run with a 2-0 victory at Solihull Moors, as Cruz Allen capitalised on a defensive error before Tommy McDermott scored his first Shaymen goal with an excellent free-kick five minutes later.
Solihull created the first chance after only two minutes when Joe Sbarra met a delivery with a volley from inside the area, forcing True Grant to turn the ball behind. Halifax responded with an even better opportunity in the 12th minute as Raheem Conte crossed from the left and McDermott struck the crossbar.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead four minutes later. Ben Tollitt released Conor Carty behind the Solihull defence and the forward found the bottom corner, but the assistant referee’s flag ruled the goal out for offside.
Solihull were then forced into an early change when Chey Dunkley suffered an injury and was replaced by Alex Whitmore. Halifax continued to create the better chances, with Tollitt sending a cross through the six-yard box for the unmarked McDermott, who was unable to hit the target from the back post.
Tollitt also tested Max Metcalfe before half-time, while Max Bardell headed a Cody Johnson corner off target as the visitors failed to turn their opportunities into a goal. The sides therefore went into the interval level at 0-0 despite Halifax having come closest to breaking the deadlock.
Halifax continued to threaten after the restart. McDermott was unable to convert another opportunity inside the six-yard box before Metcalfe produced a fine save to keep out Tollitt’s powerful free-kick in the 50th minute.
The breakthrough finally arrived five minutes later following a mistake in the Solihull defence. Allen collected the loose ball and went through one-on-one with Metcalfe before calmly placing his finish into the bottom corner to give John McGrath’s side the lead.
Halifax doubled their advantage in the 60th minute in considerably more spectacular fashion. McDermott won a free-kick and then took it himself, curling his effort into the top corner for his first goal since joining the Shaymen. Carty almost added a third six minutes later when his effort struck the crossbar.
Solihull had introduced Junior Tiensia at half-time before Oscar Rutherford and Rio Shipston came on midway through the second period, but the hosts could not find a route back into the game. Halifax saw out the remainder of the contest to record their first league victory since beating Wealdstone on 15 September.
The win moved Halifax to 13th with 17 points from 12 matches after three games without a victory. Solihull, who had beaten Woking 4-2 in midweek, remain 23rd with seven points and just two wins from their opening 12 National League fixtures. It was also a third successive defeat against Halifax for former Shaymen boss Chris Millington.
