AFC SOLIHULL maintained their grip on the MFL Division 3 despite dropping points in a 1-1 draw away to eighth placed Coventrians.
The visiting Solihull demonstrated their control of possession and played the ball around the park with confidence, crafting a first opening through Stephen Mason – the centre-back lifted a ball over the opposition defence and into the path of Ethan Banks – the former Bromsgrove Sporting man chipping the onrushing keeper for a goal on his debut.
For all of Solihull’s control, they were pegged back before the break, Tom Reynolds directed a header across to centre-back partner Mason – who slipped at a vital moment on the sodden surface and allowed Lewis Chester a free run at goal, leveling the scores for the Coventrians.
Joel Hughes curled one for goal before half-time, but saw his shot turned around the post.
AFC would continue to pursue a second goal to take them back in front, playing high up the pitch and forcing a number of openings to score, Jon Hamer spurning a shot over the bar from Eddy Pitt’s whipped cross.
Andy Matthews arrival from the bench immediately paid dividends when he got into a promising position, but inexplicably sent over from six-yards out.
Four strikers formed Solihull’s attacking line-up as they desperately tried to grasp a winner in the closing ten minutes, as Coventrians began to have efforts of their own with the game becoming stretched.
A last-gasp clearance off the line from Hanks’ low drive prevented a stunning winner for the visitors, as the Coventrians held firm to deny table-topping Solihull.
AFC Solihull will be hoping to resume their winning form on Saturday at the Everyone Active Ground when they host Birmingham Tigers in a 2pm kick off.
