AN ACTION packed weekend for Solihull Moors saw Marcus Bignot’s side claim four points out of a possible six as they edged closer to being crowned champions of the National League North.
The weekend started with a difficult trip to Worcester City where the relegation candidates put up a brave fight to claim a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Kyle Perry wasted an early chance for the hosts before Moors took the lead on 13 minutes when Darryl Knights saw his powerful shot parried by the home goalkeeper but Andy Brown was on hand to fire home the rebound.
The strong wind and rain was proving difficult to deal with for Worcester who struggled to get out of the own half but try as they might Moors could not find the next goal.
Stand-in skipper Ryan Beswick hit a volley wide, Brown headed off target and Akwasi Asante shot inches wide as the visitors took a narrow one-goal lead into the break.
After the break the wind eased on Moors and they were able to double their advantage on 50 minutes through Brown again who converted a Michael Nottingham cross to put the visitors in control.
But Bignot’s side allowed Worcester a way back into the match when within just two minutes Deon Burton scored an unstoppable volley from 15 yards out to make it 2-1.
Nti looked to have levelled proceedings when his 35-yard effort was heading for the top corner but Lewis made a superb fingertip save to keep Moors in front.
Lewis denied Donnellan from 25 yards out but he could do nothing to stop Lee Hughes breaking Moors hearts again when he scored an equalier in the final minute of the match.
After squandering a two-goal lead at Worcester, Bignot’s side were determined to bounce back in style and they did just that after thumping four goals past Corby Town in a 4-1 victory on Easter Monday.
Brown struck the post early on but it was not long before Moors took the lead when on seven minutes Liam Daly flicked on Connor Franklin’s long throw and Stefan Moore coolly placed the ball into the back of the net.
Knights wasted a one-on-one opportunity soon after before on 15 minutes Corby pulled level thanks to a superb 25-yard effort from Ben Milnes.
Lewis did well to keep out a Milnes free kick two minutes later as the visitors threatened to take the lead but on 22 minute it was Moors who scored a second.
After being awarded a corner Knights provided Gavin Gowan with a knock down and Michael Nottingham back-heeled the ball into the net for 2-1.
With seven minutes of the first half remaining Moors scored a third when Jack byrne touched a free kick on to Beswick who found Knights, he peeled away to put a pin point cross into the box for Gowan to head home for his first league goal for the club.
After a steady start to the second half Moors were effectively able to warp up all three points with 25 minutes still left on the clock.
Gough was brought down inside the area by Ellie Myles after making a strong run down the left and Moore made no mistake from the penalty spot as he notched his second and Solihull’s fourth goal.
Manager Bignot made the most of his substitutes with Walker and Asante coming on for Beswick and Brown and the home side were able to see out the match to claim three much-needed points in their push to win the title.
They now have a 12 point lead on both North Ferriby and AFC Fylde, who both have two games in hand, but the two sides have to play each other on April 9.
This Saturday Moors are at home to a rejuvenated Bradford Park Avenue outfit before travelling to Stratford for the semi-final of the Birmingham Senior Cup next Tuesday.
