FOOTBALL: SOLIHULL Moors were dumped out of the FA Cup, just days after former boss Richard Money confirmed he had left the club.
Moors’ nightmare week ended with a two-goal loss to the Chairboys at home, meaning the club has avoiding relegation firmly at the top of its list of priorities.
Saturday proved to be the first meeting between both sides, and Wycombe – who currently occupy seventh spot in League Two – were hopeful of progressing to the second round.
Gary Whild took temporary charge of the Moors while the search for a new first-team manager continues.
Kieran Higgs and Nick Townsend were cup tied and not available to play.
Solihull made a reasonable start as Darren Carter put Jermaine Hylton through, forcing keeper Scott Brown to save with his knees.
At the other end, a poor clearance gave Stewart a chance infront of net – but Liam Daly got a foot in and the shot swirled away for a corner.
With the match looking evenly poised, Moors’ achilles heel came back to haunt them when Wycombe broke from defence and a long cross towards the far post was not cleared – eventually bouncing off Freeman and into the corner of the net.
Adebayo Akinfenwa forced a strong save before Wycombe doubled their lead on the half-hour mark after Mackail-Smith poked home from close range after Stewart and Akinfenwa both hit the crossbar.
Sean St Ledger had a chance to bag his first goal in Moors colours when Carter’s free kick from 35-yards had just a little too much pace.
Akinfenwa and Freeman both went close before Kristian Green put Asante through, but the on-loan striker blasted over the bar as Moors ended the half two-goals down.
Whild’s men made a better start to the second half when Kristian Green put Asante through after good work from Hylton. But Asante couldn’t quite reach the ball as Moors saw another chance go begging.
Wycombe then had a goal disallowed before Afolayan’s deflected strike needed all of Brown’s agility as he tipped the ball over the cross bar.
Darren Carter then caught a cross with his outstretched heel, but the ball landed on top of the net.
An last gasp injury time strike from Hylton was comfortably saved by Brown as Moors exited the FA Cup.
Whild’s men host fourth placed Sutton United on Saturday at the Automated Technology Group Stadium. Kick off is at 3pm.
Moors: Bannister, Green (K), Carter ©, Murombedzi, Sammons (Camwell), Hylton, Afolayan (Carline), Green (P), St Ledger, Daly, Asante.
Attendance 1545 (807 from Wycombe).
Report from John Clothier Photos from Steve Feeney and Tom King.
