Moors opening
match of the season was away to the Orient and it served as a wake-up call with
O’s winning comfortably 3- 1. Since then the season has gone downhill for both
clubs, the return fixture now more of a relegation battle. Mark Yates has seen
major improvements in the Solihull squad since he took over just a few weeks
ago and you sensed after last weeks home draw with Gateshead that a major
corner was waiting to be turned - his charges looked for the first win under
the new regime.
Jamey Osborne
was pack in the side on a month’s loan from Grimsby and Sean St. Ledger was fit
again. There was an air of expectation, although the 500 plus fans from East
London had high hopes that their team would at last put in the type of
performance expected from this grand old London outfit relegated from the
Football league just last season. Justin Edinburgh was on the touch line having
been appointed O’s manager last Wednesday.
It was a lively
start from the home side with Osborne splitting the Orient defence with a cross
which eluded the front men. Oladapo Afolayan ran straight at the visitor’s
defence but the cleared shot fell to James Bowen some 35 yards out who was off
the mark. Bowen was then instrumental in a near miss situation as his long
cross provided Jermaine Hylton was a free header which rebounded off the cross
bar - Osborne rushed in to convert, but his shot was blocked.
Carters free
kick sailed over Brill but Daly could not reach it whilst Hylton’s break
through the centre of the park saw Afolayan in with a chance but again the
Orient defence defied the Mighty Moors.
All this and only 20 minutes played!
Bowen’s exquisite
cross was met by Osborne, but Brill lived up to his name producing a fantastic
save to stop an otherwise certain goal. Orient looked to be playing a waiting
game and when they broke out near the half hour mark, Bonne thought he was in a
one on one with Max O’Leary, but Fiacre Kelleher had read the situation and
cleared the ball to safety.
The O’s quickly
had another chance as Dayton got on the end of a knock but O’Leary was well positioned
and made a terrific save. McAnuff put in a low cross but Clay picked up Liam
Daly’s clearance although his 20 yarder was wide of the post.
Moors had the last
action of the half when Kwame Thomas knocked the ball into the path od Afolayan
who was adjudged off side
0 – 0 at the
interval felt unjust – Moors had outplayed their distinguished guests but apart
from more belief in themselves, had nothing to show for a tantalising opening
forty five.
The
irrepressible Hylton got the second half off to a good start with Afolayan then
going close but on 59 minutes Solihull’s persistence paid off; Carter put a
trade mark curling free kick and with Brill positioned towards the centre of
the box, Daly stole in on the far post and headed Moors in front. 1 – 0. The
home crowd went wild!
Hylton dribbled
his was through the Orient defence before putting Carter through but Moors
captain blasted over the bar. Orient were still looking dangerous on the break
and on 75 it was hearts in mouths time for the Solihull faithful as a goal
mouth scramble was eventually cleared to safety by Daly.
Hylton put
Thomas through but the striker could not get a shot in and when on 84 minutes
Thomas did get a one on one with Brill, the keeper saved well. Right at the end
of normal time It O’Leary’s turn to impress as he thwarted a break down the
right side.
Referee Gibbons
signalled four minutes added time and almost immediately Paul Green was brought
down in the Orient penalty area after Afolayan had threaded the ball through.
Carter shot low and hard to the near side post, but Brill had chosen well and pushed
the ball onto the upright and away to safety
It did not
matter as Moors held on for their first home win since the 5th
September. That was against Marcus Bignot’s Chester and Moors travel there next
Saturday for another relegation battle. Kick Off 3,00 pm
Seven One Zero Man of the Match Draw between Jamey Osborne and Liam Daly
Iceing on the Cake; Max O’Leary, Jamey
Osborne, and the gaffer, Mark Yates, all appear in the Non league Paper’s National
League Team of the day
O’ Leary,
Bowen, Carter ©, Atkinson, Hylton, Afolayan (Asante), Green (P), Daly,
Kelleher, Osborne( Murombedsy), Thomas, Subs not Used; Green (K), St.Ledger,
Carline
Report from John
Clothier Photos Courtesy
of Tom King
