United 0
Solihull Moors 2
(Hudlin 85′, Dallas 90+4′)
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Two late strikes undid The Gulls on Tuesday night, as United slipped to defeat against Solihull Moors at Plainmoor.
In what was a closely-fought 90 minutes, a double strike in the last five minutes from Kyle Hudlin and Andrew Dallas eventually took all three points away from Gary Johnson’s side.
Following the 2-1 win at Altrincham three days earlier, the same squad was named to take on the side from the West Midlands, although with none of his absentees yet available, the Gaffer’s options were limited.
United began brightly and enjoyed much of the possession in the opening stages of the game, with United’s first chance coming on four minutes. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans ran in from the right flank before playing Wearne through in the centre, with his low-driven shot forcing the Moors ‘keeper to save.
Six minutes in though, The Gulls’ selection matters were restricted even further, as Dan Holman replaced the injured Danny Wright.
In the eighth minute it was the visitors who went close. They held possession following a corner before a deflected shot found the feet of Dallas, whose low shot was denied by Shaun MacDonald.
In the 16th minute Armani Little tried his luck from outside the box, and although his low-driven effort was on target, it was comfortably saved by the Solihull number 1.
A quiet spell followed with no clear-cut chances arising for either side.
However, on the half-hour Gary Johnson’s side had appeals for a penalty waved away, with Holman’s tumble inside the box falling on deaf ears.
In the 41st minute, United came close to breaking the deadlock. Wearne drove forward before playing an advancing Martin through on goal, but his effort from the left hand side of the box was just wide. Three minutes later United threatened again as Wearne squared the ball for Little, whose shot was pushed around the post by Boot.
At the interval, there was nothing to separate the two sides.
Four minutes into the second half, Solihull nearly found a way through, after a misplaced pass at the back allowed Sbarra to drive forward before getting a low-driven shot on target, forcing MacDonald into action to make the save.
Thirteen minutes after the restart a long ball forward by Martin was chased by Wearne who cut into the box before squaring for Holman who fired a low goal-bound shot which was blocked by the Solihull defence. Moments later Moors went close. Danny Newton dispossessed the United defence before driving forward and firing an effort just over.
In the 66th minute Little and Lemonheigh-Evans linked up to drive the side forward, before Little’s shot fell into the path of an advancing Holman, who again went down to spark more penalty appeals, but again the referee wasn’t interested.
In the 78th minute good pressure by United ended with a Lemonheigh-Evans cross finding Wearne in the centre, whose goal-ward header was blocked by Little.
As they began to turn the screw, United broke again moments later, this time with Little down the left, before the midfielder tried to square the ball for an advancing Lemonheigh-Evans. Sadly though, the ball just evaded United’s number 7.
It was to prove costly shortly after, as in the 85th minute, it was Solihull who broke the deadlock.
A low cross found substitute Hudlin at the near-post who back-heeled into the bottom corner.
Although Johnson’s men were desperate to gain a pathway back into the match, they were forced to defend more than attack in the closing stages, and despite MacDonald producing a fine save in the 89th minute to deny an advancing Dallas, the same player finished a swift counter five minutes later to the seal the points for the visitors.
Disappointment tonight, but United’s recent improvement means that there is plenty still to play for yet.
United: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 3. Dan Martin, 5. Ali Omar, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c), 9. Danny Wright (30. Dan Holman 6′), 10. Armani Little, 12. Stephen Wearne (16. Keelan O’Connell 88′), 14. Chiori Johnson, 15. Stephen Duke-McKenna (19. Klaidi Lolos 88′).
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead, 29. Joe Felix.
Yellow Card: Johnson 90′
Solihull Moors: 1.Ryan Boot (c), 2.James Clarke, 6.Alex Gudger, 7.Joe Sbarra, 8.Callum Maycock, 11.Ryan Barnett (10.James Osborne, 72′), 14.Harry Boyes, 19.Andrew Dallas, 22.Mark Ellis, 24.Danny Newton (27.Kyle Hudlin, 80′), 25.Lois Maynard.
SUBS NOT USED: 3.Jordan Cranston, 4.Kyle Storer, 26.Jack Myatt.
Attendance: 2,469 (60 Away)