STAR striker Harry White scored a superb hat-trick as Solihull Moors started their defence of the Birmingham Senior Cup with a 4-2 victory over Boldmere St Michaels at the Automated Technology Group Stadium on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old, who signed for Moors from Championship side Barnsley in June, bagged his first hat-trick for his hometown club as they secured victory in the second round.
New manager Liam McDonald took the opportunity to rest some of the senior squad before Saturday’s FA Trophy tie against Matlock Town.
Loan signing Nortei Nortey started in midfield for the Moors, who made the better start to the game as White opened the scoring after just nine minutes when heading home a cross from Shep Murombedzi.
White then doubled Moors’ lead after 15 minutes when he met an accurate cross from Jordan Gough.
Although Moors continued to challenge the Mikes defensive unit, the visitors held on to be trailing by just two goals as the half time whistle was blown.
White was denied a third goal shortly into the second half when a free kick was guided straight at the visiting keeper.
However, he did not have to wait too long for his third as he sent a low shot inside the near post shortly after the hour mark.
Moors then put the result beyond any doubt as former Blackpool defender Joel Dielna curled a peach of a free kick into the far corner.
Determined not to leave the borough without putting up a fight, the visiting side scored twice in the space of five minutes as substitutes Kyle Byrne and Owen Parry both scored.
However, it was a case of too little, too late though as Moors secured their place in the quarter-finals.
McDonald will now switch his attention to Saturday as Moors host Matlock Town in the first round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.
Match report compiled by John Clothier.
