FOOTBALL: ALDERSHOT Town proved too strong for Solihull Moors at the Automated Technology Group Stadium on Saturday as Liam McDonald’s side slopped to a fourth straight defeat, reports Luke Turner.
A goal either side of half-time from Kundai Benyu was enough to seal all three points for the visiting play-off chasers.
The first clear-cut chance of the match came for the visitors. An inch-perfect cross from Bernard Mensah found the head of an unmarked Shamir Fenelon but he diverted his header well wide of Lewis’ goal.
Gary Waddock’s side started at a blistering pace and Fenelon had another golden chance just a minute later but he fired his snapshot straight at Lewis.
The first bit of action in the attacking third for Moors came through George Carline as he tried his luck from 25 yards but his effort rolled comfortably into arms of Jake Cole who wasn’t troubled.
It was then the turn of skipper Liam Daly to try his luck but his header back across the goal and just wide of the far post with Cole rooted.
Moors began to grow into game after some early pressure from the visitors but fell behind just before the half hour mark when Benya beat Lewis with a low finish.
Moors almost responded immediately as Oladapo Afolayan picked up the ball just outside the area and let fly a shot that sailed just wide of the post.
Benyu then nearly grabbed his second of the game as his sweetly struck shot from 25 yards was expertly tipped over by Lewis to keep the score line at 0-1.
Shortly after the interval, Moors had a shout for a penalty as Daly went down inside the area but referee waved away any claims from the home side.
Aldershot then doubled their lead on 52 minutes. Daly came close with a header before Benyu travelled the length of Moors half before making his way into the penalty area and sweeping a shot across Lewis and into the corner of the net.
Aldershot almost added a third when a low cross from Benyu was met in the middle by a scramble of players before a combination of Lewis and Daly cleared to safety.
McDonald’s men kept battling away as Omari Sterling-James and Haveez Sanusi were both brought on to try and change things but it was always going to be difficult against one of the leagues best defences.
Aldershot substitute Matt McClure almost got his name on the scoresheet but his effort was well palmed away by Lewis as he made another impressive save in between the sticks.
Callum Coyle came on for the final five minutes to make just his second appearance for Moors but it was too little too late as Aldershot finished as comfortable victors.
