MOORS got their Vanarama Conference North play-off charge back on track after bringing to an end a run of four straight league defeats at home to Brackley Town.
Marcus Bignot’s side bounced back from a poor run of form to record a narrow 1-0 victory over Brackley Town at the Autotech Stadium on Saturday.
Brackley were no pushovers after being promoted from the Southern League back in 2012 and they finished in the play-off zone in their first Conference North season and just outside last year.
There has never been more than one goal between the two teams in their four encounters with both clubs recording two wins each and it proved to be another right affair.
Moors forced a corner within a minute of the start but were immediately caught on the break as new signing from Northampton Town, David Mayo, advanced on the Solihull goal only to be denied by Tony Breeden who spread himself to narrow the angle and deflected the shot with his feet.
As Moors got back into their stride Omar Bogle first set up Fleet and then Beswick who both shot just wide of the post.
Bignot had changed things around with Ryan Beswick playing on the left flank and he was to prove instrumental throughout the afternoon.
Stefan Moore was the first to miss the target from his pass on 12 minutes and Bogle too was on fire as he cut through the Saints defence and his left footed shot beat the keeper but agonisingly his shot whistled past the wrong side of the upright.
At the other end Brackley broke on 20 minutes with Odhiambo rifling in from 30 yards but causing Breeden no problem as he parried away to safety.
Reece Fleet dispossessed Whittall as half time beckoned and found Bogle in the box but he was clipped as he advanced on Turley but the referee deemed surprisingly that there was no infringement.
In the penultimate minute of the half Beswick crossed from the left but as Daly moved in for the conversion Austin’s desperate clearance sent both teams in goalless.
As play resumed Richard Taundry fired passed three defenders to Beswick who was just inches wide but their persistence was rewarded on the hour mark.
Bogle was brought down just outside of the 18-yard box and the league’s leading goal scorer then sent a sublime free kick over the five man wall and beyond the motionless Turley in the Brackley.
The visitors upped the pressure as they sought to salvage something from the game but Solihull were equal to the pressure and might have increased the lead when good work from Daly and Moore set up Fleet but he blasted well over.
While at the other end Mayo again tested Breeden but could find no way round the Solihull shot stopper as Moors held out for a hard fought win which sees them back in the play-off positions.
This Saturday Moors host Harrogate Town at the Autotech Stadium.
Jordan Gough and Junior English look to win back possession. (s) Photo by Nasar Hussain
Moors striker Stefan Moore looks to create an opening. (s) Photo by Nasar Hussain
