SOLIHULL Moors reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history following a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Wealdstone.
With the teams locked at one-apiece at the end of regulation time, the game went to penalties as Moors goalkeeper Nick Hayes saved Wealdstone’s first attempt from the spot at Grosvenor Vale.
However, after James Clarke missed the chance to win the shootout for Solihull, Manny Duku powered his spot kick against the crossbar to send Moors through to the last four and one game from Wembley.
Andy Whing’s side will discover their semi-final opponents later today with the draw to take place at around 3.15pm live on talkSPORT2.
Wealdstone took the lead on 15 minutes when Max Kretzschmar pounced on a mix-up between Clarke and Hayes to finish into an empty net.
However, Moors drew level on 25 minutes as Callum Maycock caught out Wealdstone goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst at his near post from Joe Sbarra’s pass.
Dewhurst made a number of fine saves to prevent Moors from winning the tie in regulation time while Hayes also impressed in the Solihull goal at the other end.
And after Matty Warburton squeezed home Moors’ opening penalty, despite the best efforts of Dewhurst, Hayes superbly kept out Kretzschmar’s spot kick diving low to his right.
Further successful penalties from Tyrese Shade, Joe Sbarra and Mark Beck left Moors one kick away from reaching the semi-finals, only for Dewhurst to save Clarke’s effort low down to his right.
However, Duku smashed Wealdstone’s fifth penalty against the bar as Moors sealed their place in the last four of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history.
Solihull are next in action at home to Boreham Wood on Tuesday, March 12 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the ARMCO Arena.
