Solihull Moors edge closer to safety with convincing victory over FA Cup giant killers Sutton United - The Solihull Observer

Solihull Moors edge closer to safety with convincing victory over FA Cup giant killers Sutton United

Solihull Editorial 13th Feb, 2017   0

Solihull Moors 3-0 Sutton United

National League

FOOTBALL: THEY may be heroes of this year’s FA Cup having progressed to the fifth round of the competition, but giant killers Sutton United saw their preparations for this Saturday’s clash with Arsenal knocked back by Solihull Moors.

On a bitterly cold afternoon at Damson Way, Liam McDonald saw his Moors side produce one the best performances under his short reign as they ran out 3-0 winners to move ten points away from safety in the National League.




The fans were still taking their seat before Moors were ahead with their first attack on goal. Regan Charles-Cook was in right place to stab the ball home for a debut goal after a neat ball across goal by Shep Murombedzi.


The visitors got their act together with Fitchett heading wide from a dangerous in-swinging cross while at the other end Harry White tested Worner’s hands from 25 yards but there was nobody there to capitalise on the spill.

Sutton were looking dangerous and could have been level when Jeffords’ deflected cross was headed towards goal by Deacon but his effort was straight at Nathan Baxter.

On the half-hour mark Dundas sneaked the ball to Fitchett who shot wide before Dundas, who had been menacing from the start, also put an effort wide.

The home support had their hearts in the mouth seven minutes before the break when Louis John was adjudged to have been brought down by Joel Kettle inside the area, but Baxter guessed right to keep out skipper Jamie Collins’ spot kick.

The hosts doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time after Worner saved a Murombedzi effort with is legs, but the ball fell kindly to loan striker Charles-Cook who tapped home the rebound.

Moors restarted where they left off with Worner twice called into action after the restart and when Sutton did get forward Baxter was there to deny a chance for Gueye.

On 66 minutes McDonald decided it was time to introduce the other new signing Oladapo Afolayan and the timing could not have been better.

Kristian Green marauded down the wing before slotting a low pass to Charles-Cook who turned provider by crossing the ball across the face of goal for Afolayan to fire home with his first touch as a Moors player.

Solihull thought it was four when Kettle had the ball in the net after Worner had dropped an Ashley Sammons free kick but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

Moors saw out the remainder of the game without incident and hit the 40 point marker as they cemented their 15th place position in the table.

“We thoroughly deserved the win,” McDonald told the Observer. “From start to finish we were in control.

“It was a big game for both teams but the lads did really well and I’m really pleased for them.

“We worked hard in training last Tuesday and Thursday. We put lots of effort into our preparation and the way we were going to setup without the ball and the hard work paid off on Saturday.

“Their players wanted to put in a good performance to get picked for the FA Cup match. If I’m being honest I think out players deserve credit because Sutton were up for it. They wanted to win.

“Having spoken to the manager their players were up for it and they were coming here to win.”

“I’m still unsure why we had the goal disallowed. There didn’t seem to be any offside or infringement but that doesn’t matter now, it’s another three points towards our target.”

Attendance: 671

Team: Baxter, Murombedzi, Daly ©, kettle, Flanagan, Maye, White (Afolayan 66), Carline (Mwanyongo 83), Nortey, Charles-Cook (Sammons 73)

Subs not used – Lewis, Coyle

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