SOLIHULL Moors remain third in the Vanarama National North after claiming their fourth draw in five matches following Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate at Hednesford on Saturday, reports John Clothier.
It was the third time Moors had made the relatively short journey to Hednesford since the Pitman gained promotion to the National North and the rain teemed down making playing conditions difficult.
Marcus Bignot was looking for his team’s first clean sheet away from home and brought a strong squad missing Andy Brown still suffering from the facial injury sustained at Lowestoft.
Hednesford were fast out of the blocks with Adam Thomas forcing Ben Siegrist into action after just three minutes, while Moors’ first meaningful attack came on ten minutes when Darryl Knights found Michael Nottingham but his looping cross drifted over the line for a goal kick.
At the mid-way stage of the opening period, Moors looked dangerous down both flanks courtesy of Nottingham and Connor Franklin, and the latter’s long throws were always a source of danger to the Pitmen’s defence.
A Ryan Beswick free kick found the incoming Nottingham but he could not quite get his head on the ball as keeper Crane averted the danger.
Solihull could count themselves fortunate when Obeng blasted over the bar from close range but failed to inflict any damage on their hosts when a corner which cleared both defence and attack was mistakenly knocked back into the box.
Hednesford’s striker, Danico Johnson, hit the post from a tight angle on 38 minutes following a fast move down the left flank, whilst Siegrist made a fine save as Ennis crossed.
Solihull had the first action after the restart as Nottingham overlapped to feed in Stefan Moore but his shot was too near Crane to be of danger.
On 55 minutes Siegrist pulled off a fine save to deny Johnson’s 18 yard screamer, while Liam Daly headed wide from Knights’ corner before Siegrist made another sensational one-handed save as James thundered the ball towards the top left-hand corner.
Shortly after the hour mark Williams hit the outside of the far post after a dual with Theo Streete on the left side.
When Beswick’s opportunist effort from outside the box hit the top of the stand, the away supporters could be forgiven for thinking that it was not Moors’ day as opportunities came in abundance but they were unable to convert.
The final 15 minutes saw Moors produce their best football. Akwasi Asante’s cross was defended by keeper Crane for a corner but in truth it could just as easily gone straight into the net, and the hosts had Williams to thank as he foiled Moore’s goal bound effort with a launch over the bar.
Jimmy Armson had a penalty shout waived away on 82 minutes whilst Streete almost cleared the ground with a 20 yard opportunist shot.
Bignot was still pleased with a point against a team that has lost four of its last five matches and he also achieved the first away clean sheet and the club’s 15-game unbeaten run remains intact.
Moors now ready themselves for this Saturdays visit of Gloucester City to the Automated Systems Group Stadium (3pm).
