FOOTBALL: AN ENCOURAGING goalless draw away at Southport in the National League has kept confidence in the Solihull Moors camp high while also moving Liam McDonald’s side further away from the threat of relegation.
Despite arriving at Southport late due to major hold-ups on the motorway, McDonald’s men did enough to pick up a point on Tuesday evening, but it could have been more had the visitors been more clinical in front of goal.
Moors had to thank the lightning reactions of Danny Lewis right from the kick off as Allen got on the end of a deflection in the 18-yard box but Jones’ toe poke from point blank range was saved by the Moors shot stopper.
Solihull’s first foray into the opposing box came from a Jack Byrne corner but Asante drilled the ball straight at keeper Norman. That said Moors were under pressure at this stage with the impressive Higgins testing Lewis with a high lob, whilst Lussey blasted over from a free kick.
Asante came close to opening the scoring on 17 minutes when Moors broke quickly from defence but the Solihull striker having lost his man with a deft move to his right blasted the ball against the upright and away for a goal kick.
At the mid point of the half Lewis defied Jones twice, the second of which looked to all intents and purposes to be on its way, but Moors broke back with Asante through for a one-on-one with Norman and with the goal at his mercy found the side netting.
As half time drew near Osborne hit a 20-yard low effort on 43 minutes brought out a fine save from Norman diving left towards the upright effort.
The hosts were quickly back in action with a pin point corner from Lussey bringing out yet another match saving response from Lewis as Higgins headed towards goal.
Moors’ first real break arrived on 58 minutes when the influential Osborne took a cross outside the box but his shot flashed wide of the far post. Higgins then cleared off the line as Moors pushed forward and Asante fired wide.
Moors could have taken all three points with 15 minutes remaining but Asante shot straight at Norman after being put clean through on goal again.
And end-to-end
In an end to end finale both sides had chances to steal the win with Jack Byrne well placed to produce a goalline clearance and Omari Sterling James was the wrong side of the upright with five minutes to go.
When Byrne’s head met a penetrating cross from George Carline it looked again as if Moors would grab the spoils only for Southport to clear from beneath the bar and hold out for a point.
Moors now ready themselves for Saturday’s FA Cup second round trip to Luton Town (3pm).
