A LATE goal by Mark Carrington consigned Solihull Moors to their first defeat of the 2016/17 campaign away at Wrexham, reports John Clothier.
A mid-week trip to the Racecourse Stadium was always going to be a difficult prospect for Marcus Bignot’s team who had taken seven points from their opening three league matches in the Vanarama National League.
Wrexham’s full-time team have aspirations to return to the Football League this season and over 4,000 fans backed them on Tuesday evening.
Striker Paul Rutherford has the first shot on goal after four minutes which was cleared by the defence and Darryl Knights show low from 25 yards out without bothering goalkeeper Shwan Jalal.
Knights then produced a defence-splitting pass to find Asante who was fouled and Knights launched a free kick which saw a knock down towards Liam Daly go begging.
Moors were enjoying a good spell of pressure with Jack Byrne sending a header straight at Jalal as Wrexham struggled to break out of their half.
Moors’ first real opportunity came on 27 minutes when a great battling run from Akwasi Asante through the heart of the dragon’s defence saw him put Harry White through but his short range effort was blocked by Edwards.
Osborne’s defence splitting pass set up Knights to shoot be his effort was blocked as Wrexham continued to quickly close down any danger in their box.
John Rooney shot from an acute angle, forcing Lewis into a fine stop at the near post before his 25 yard free kick was headed wide from ex Telford Curtis Tilt and Fagbola cleared Bencherif’s header off the line.
The final action of the half fell to Solihull but a one two between Asante and Knights saw the big striker denied by Jalal.
Moors had more than edged the opening 45 but the second half saw a re-invigorated Wrexham performance with Solihull on the back foot for much of the play. Bencherif headed wide from Rooney’s corner before Moors retaliated on the hour mark when Byrne got on the end of good work between Knights and Daly but the shot was again blocked.
A mix up between Daly and Lewis almost let the home side in but Knights battling back cleared the danger and Bakare’s low effort was well saved by Lewis at the far post before the Moors shot stopper pulled off the save of the day thwarting Rutherford’s deflected strike.
Fagbola cleared from the edge of the six yard box from substitute Powell but the closer the game got to full time, the more Wrexham piled on the pressure.
Newton missed from five yards out with five minutes left on the clock but there was heartbreak in the third minute of added time for the visitors.
A well earned draw seemed on the cards before Bakare hustled his way through and found Carrington at the far post who from point blank range slid the ball into the back of the net.
There was time for Moors to launch a quick attack which almost led to an Andy Brown equaliser as he headed towards goal but Jalal read it well and produced a good diving save from close range.
Moors now have time to regroup in time for Saturday’s home match against bottom club Guiseley who are the only team in the the National League yet to register a point.
