MATCH REPORT: Woking 2-4 Solihull Moors
A superb performance by Solihull Moors secured a 4-2 victory against Woking at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Tuesday night in the National League.
Two new signings were announced before kick-off, with defensive duo Chey Dunkley, and Carter Pinnington both making their debut for The Moors.
Jacob Wakeling opened the scoring for Solihull, only to see his side pegged back with a fine finish from Matt Ward. John Marquis then put Woking ahead, before Jamie Andrews equalised from 20 yards with his first goal for The Moors. Scott High then curled in an exquisite finish from outside the box to send the away side in 3-2 ahead, at the end of a roller coaster first half. The second half was a much tighter affair, with Woking having defender Jaiden Putman sent off on 56 minutes, before another wonderful Andrews strike sealed the game and sent Chris Millington's men home with a huge 3 points.
Kick-off
A bright start to the first 45 by both sides was a sign of things to come, with Woking and Solihull testing each other's defence early on.
GOAL - 6' Moors. A flicked ball by Carson was misread by Steven Turner, and fell to Scott High, who took full advantage by playing an inch-perfect pass into Wakeling, who's left-footed shot from a tight angle was too powerful for Woking goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen, with the ball going under his body at the near post. 0-1
Down the other end, new signing Chey Dunkley was already showing exactly why he was brought to the club. His first two significant moments were a sliding block to deny a tap in, and then deflecting Ward's follow-up strike just over the bar as Woking pushed for an equaliser.
Woking striker John Marquis, who looked a threat from the beginning, was almost put through on goal, but Moors keeper Metcalfe was alert to the danger, beating the Woking man to the ball on a couple of occasions.
Another dangerous Woking attack followed, with Shadrach Ogie steaming down the left wing, only to see his cross blocked by the impressive Dunkley.
GOAL - 23' Woking. Roy Syla won the ball in the middle for the home team, then sent Ward through on the right-hand side of the box, the Woking man found himself with time to take a couple of touches, before unleashing a thunderous, swerving shot past Metcalfe. 1-1
Immediately after the goal, High broke down the right, but his cross was just short of the on rushing Wakeling.
GOAL - 25' Woking. Turner fed a ball into Kelly, which he brilliantly chipped through to Marquis, who's scuffed shot was beyond the reach of Metcalfe. 2-1
GOAL - 27' Moors. From the resulting kick-off, Millington's side put together a wonderful team move that saw almost 20 passes without the home side getting a touch of the ball. It ended up with the tenacious Andrews driving through to the edge of the box before unleashing a screamer from around 20 yards. 2-2
A penalty shout followed for Woking after some brave goalkeeping from Metcalfe again, who was quickest as Ward raced through on goal. Metcalfe came sliding out to get a vital touch, before Dunkley cleared the danger. Both players then stayed down and required treatment before play could continue.
GOAL - 45' Moors. Just a couple of minutes after coming on for Ryan Woods, Florent Hoti won the ball, which then fell to Wakeling, who found High on the edge of the area, and The Moors midfielder whipped a sensational left-footed strike into the far corner to put the Midlands side into the lead again. 2-3
Second half
Woking won a corner seconds into the second half, with Tyrell Warren doing well to head the ball out and away from danger. Half time sub Aiden O'Brien's header from the corner was just over the bar.
With Woking searching for a goal, Warren again got a good block in, and Pinnington, also did well to get his foot in ahead of the home sides attackers a couple of times as The Moors held on, before Putman, out on the left, then cut in and had a decent effort at goal, but Metcalfe was well positioned to catch the shot.
RED CARD - 56' Woking. While trying to dispossess Jaiden Putman, the Woking defender went down under a challenge by Joe Sbarra, Putman then appeared to strike The Moors midfielder, and referee Jason Richardson issued a straight red card. A huge blow for Jake Hyde's side, after starting the second half on the front foot. Sbarra received a yellow card for the initial foul.
O'Brien and Shadrach Ogie looked lively for Woking, O'Brien's trickery and Ogie's pace were a constant threat. The two combined to create a chance for sealer on the edge of the box, his shot deflecting safely into the arms of Metcalfe.
Defender Tyler French made a welcome. return from a long injury lay-off, replacing new-boy Pinnington who was solid and assured on his Moors debut.
GOAL - 77' Moors. Some great determination again by Hoti to win possession in the middle of the park, who then played a one-two with Wakeling, before having an effort blocked. The ball then fell nicely to Matty Carson, who rolled across to Andrews, and the midfield man calmly slotted into the back of Jaaskelainen's net to score his second of the game against his former side.
Andrews, looking for a hat-trick, tried his luck from distance, but the strike was deflected wide for a corner. From the corner, Jevon Mills saw a header go just wide of the post.
Another chance for the Moors to score a fifth followed, Hoti and fellow sub Junior Tiensia combined on the edge of the box, with the latter whipping in a low cross that Wakeling was agonisingly close to getting a touch on. Although the striker may possibly have been flagged for offside had the ball ended up in the net.
Another substitute, Rio Shipston then tried his luck from long range after a fast Moors break.
Woking continued to huff and puff, but ultimately found the Solihull defence, and Metcalfe, too difficult to crack. The Moors keeper brilliantly tipped a powerful Harrison Sohna's drive onto the post in injury time, before Marquis had an effort trickle inches wide as Millington's side held on for a valuable win on the road.
Full time - Woking 2-4 Solihull Moors.
Man of the match - Jamie Andrews.
All in all, a terrific result and performance away from home against a tough Woking team, who only a few days ago put 5 goals past Carlisle. Hopefully the result can provide a platform to build on, as Chris Millington and his squad aim to climb our way back up the table.
A massive thank you to each and every one of the 35 fans that travelled to Woking. The level of commitment to make a 230+ mile round trip for our club midweek is impeccable. Hopefully those 3 points made it worthwhile, and you have a safe journey home💛💙
Next up
Another home double header as Damson Park plays host to FC Halifax on Saturday 3rd October, 3pm kick-off in the Enterprise National League, followed by a National League Cup tie against Newcastle U21's on Tuesday 6th October, 7pm kick-off.
Tickets for FC Halifax can be purchased on the link below -
https://solihullmoorsfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/solihull_moors_v_fc_halifax_town2627?version=m
COYM💛💙
Written by Scott Cattell
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