ANDY Whing believes Solihull Moors are ‘heading in the right direction’ following a dramatic penalty shootout win against Altrincham in an FA Cup replay.
A late Jamey Osborne goal took the game to extra time and then penalties as Moors reached the First Round Proper after Joss Labadie opened the scoring at Damson Park.
And after Moors twice suffered penalty shootout heartbreak last season, Whing feels his side are continuing to make progress following their spot kick success with Maidstone United awaiting Solihull in the First Round Proper.
Whing joked: “Where were they [the penalties] last year? I don’t think it writes the demons off from last season but it was nice to win a game like that.
“It was pleasing to get that off our back but more importantly we’re through to the next round.
“There were some really good bits, some frustrating bits and some naive bits. I’m just delighted with the result and to get into the first round proper.
“We made it hard work for ourselves with a little bit of a patch-up squad. The young lads did well.
“I’m disappointed with the goals, two poor set-pieces from us but hopefully [we can take] belief and confidence from another good result.
“We were a little bit flat in the second half, we just couldn’t get going but we carved out good chances and defended when he had to defend.
“It’s a big week but we’re really looking forward to the games, we’ve got a bit of momentum at the moment but we’re heading in the right direction.”
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at Moss Lane last weekend as the two divisional rivals locked horns once again in Fourth Round Qualifying.
Solihull broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Labadie volleyed home John Bostock’s inviting free-kick from close range.
Altrincham drew level on 31 minutes as Charlie Olson headed in Alex Newby’s dangerous free-kick at the back post.
The visitors completed the turnaround on 61 minutes when Tom Crawford stabbed in Newby’s floated cross from the right.
However, Moors forced extra time as substitute Osborne lashed a low effort into the bottom corner from 20-yards out in the first minute of injury time.
Following a goalless extra period the game went to penalties as Altrincham’s Regan Linney sent the first spot kick over the crossbar.
The next three penalties were scored before Crawford saw his effort come back off the post.
And after James Gale found the net, Laurie Walker saved Newby’s penalty to send Moors through to the next round.
Solihull are next in action against Barnet on Saturday, October 19 with kick-off at 3pm at Damson Park.
