Match Report: Moors vs FC Halifax Town
Solihull Moors were comfortably beaten 2-0 by FC Halifax at Damson Park in the Enterprise National League, as Chris Millington faced his former side.
Team news
Florent Hoti was given his full debut for The Moors after impressing off the bench against Woking in midweek. The midfielder came in for Ryan Woods, who went off with a knock in that game. Tyler French started his first game since returning from injury, replacing Tyrell Warren, who was serving a one-game suspension following his booking on Tuesday. Also making a welcome return from injury was Oscar Rutherford, who made a matchday squad for the first time this season, starting the game on the bench.
It was a cagey start for both sides, as they struggled to keep possession for long periods. Halifax grew more into the game and had the better of the opportunities as The Moors failed to trouble the away side too much. The second half began in a similar manner, until Cruz Allen scored following a mistake in the Solihull defence. Halifax went on to score again, this time an inch-perfect free-kick from Tommy McDermott. More chances came and went for Halifax, as The Moors just couldn't find a way back into the game. The result means Chris Millington's men remain in 23rd position in the table.
Kick-off
Joe Sbarra had an early effort that went just wide of the post. Tommy McDermott then cut in on his left foot for the visitors, only to be denied when Jevon Mills made a cracking block. The second ball was then thundered out by the head of Chey Dunkley.
With just over 10 minutes played, McDermott was again involved. A cross was played in from the left, and the Halifax winger hit the bar when unmarked at the back post. The linesman then belatedly raised his flag for offside.
DISALLOWED GOAL - 16' Halifax. Another offside decision, this time the ball did end up in the back of the net, but was ruled out for the away side. Striker Conor Carty broke through and slotted past Max Metcalfe, but the celebrations were cut short when the flag went up.
Cruz Allen had a powerful effort from the edge of the box blocked, before Dunkley went down with what appeared to be a thigh injury. The recent signing couldn't continue, and had to be replaced by captain Alex Whitmore.
A huge let-off then followed for the home side, a sloppy pass straight to Halifax striker Carty on the edge of the penalty area was played into the box, but Scott High read the danger and cleared from near his own goal line.
Another attack down the Halifax left produced arguably the best chance of the half so far. A cross was whipped in hard and low, again falling to McDermott, but the winger could only find the side netting with the goal at his mercy around 6 yards out.
With Solihull been pushed further and further back, Halifax put several decent crosses into the box, Jevon Mills excellently clearing from one, before Metcalfe made two great saves. The first in particular, clawing away an effort that looked to already be past him, before a very similar one down to his right that came from a less powerful strike.
Shortly after, a Halifax midfielder fired high over the bar, before McDermott curled narrowly wide, again showing the danger he posed when cutting in from the right, and onto his favoured left foot.
The ball fell the nicely to Carty, who couldn't get enough on his shot inside the box, and the ball was caught comfortably by Metcalfe.
In a rare Moors attack, Tyler French found himself in space on the right-hand side of the box, his cross falling just short of Wakeling who was ready to pounce.
On 40 minutes, whilst trying to prevent a throw-in, Halifax's Ben Tollitt took a tumble over the advertising boards and had a seat with the away fans, giving himself a brief rest after all of his hard work in the first-half.
In the 2nd minute of injury time at the end of the half, defender Alex Bardell's effort from a corner was well dealt with by Metcalfe, who palmed away his close-range header to keep the scores level at the break.
Half time - 0-0
Second half
An attacking substitution by Chris Millington for the start of the second half saw winger Junior Tiensia come on to replace defender Carter Pinnington.
A great Jamie Andrews tackle to stop a Halifax break, set the Moors on an attack of their own, Wakeling did well with little support and won a corner.
Solihull rode their luck again as Halifax somehow couldn't manage to convert a ball that was whipped in with pace, straight across the 6-yard box.
The away side won a free-kick in a worrying position for The Moors, Tollitt curled low, and forced a great save from Metcalfe. The ball was recycled and then fell back to the feet of Tollitt again, who this time dragged wide from 20 yards.
GOAL - 55' Halifax. A mix up in The Moors defence allowed Cruz Allen an unchallenged run through on goal and he placed calmly past Metcalfe to break the deadlock for the away side. 0-1.
The Moors, trying to respond to the setback, went on an attack that ended with a French cross falling to the feet of Jacob Wakeling. The strikers hooked effort going just wide of the near post.
GOAL - 60' Halifax. The visitors won a free-kick on the edge of the box when McDermott was bundled over. It was McDermott himself who stepped up to take the resulting set-piece, sending a beautiful, curling effort into the top corner with his left foot, leaving Metcalfe with no chance. 0-2.
The Shaymen almost scored a third, with Carty hitting the crossbar, before Mills cleared the danger before a Halifax attacker could respond.
Scott High then had a half-chance that he couldn't keep down, firing over from the edge of the box.
Wakeling found some space to run into and broke through on the left, smashing his effort straight at Halifax keeper True Grant.
Manager Chris Millington made a double substitution with just over 20 minutes left to play, bringing on Oscar Rutherford and Rio Shipston for Florent Hoti and Matty Carson, in an attempt to find a way back into the game.
With Halifax looking increasingly dangerous, another chance went begging, this time Conor Carty diverted a cross towards goal, but Metcalfe was there again
The dangerous McDermott curled over 20 yards after finding space on the right again.
Substitute Rutherford, making his 150th appearance for the Enterprise National League, was looking lively on the right wing, and some nice link-up play with French put him through on the right, Rutherford's cross fell to High, who's shot was well blocked.
Another burst down the wing by Rutherford followed, with our returning number 21 putting a good cross into the head of Wakeling, who could only head over.
The final minutes fizzled out, with Halifax happy to see out the game and take home the 3 points, which moved them up to 13th in the table, and The Moors struggling to create any clear-cut chances.
Full-time - Solihull Moors 0-2 FC Halifax.
Attendance
966 (including 149 travelling fans)
Moors fans, thank you for your continued support and backing of the boys in this tough period. We look forward to seeing you soon. We hope you have a safe journey home. COYM💛💙
Next up
We host Newcastle U21's in the National League Cup on Tuesday 6th October at Damson Park. Kick-off 7pm. Tickets for this fixture are free, but need to be claimed using the link below -
We're back in league action on Saturday 10th October as we face Worthing at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium. Kick-off 3pm. Travelling supporters can purchase coach tickets below -
https://solihullmoorsfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/worthing_away_coach_travel_2627?version=m
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