FOOTBALL: GOALS from teenager Tyrese Shade and a trialist helped Solihull Moors earn a confidence boosting pre-season win against Northern Premier League side Barwell on Monday night, reports John Clothier.
The Canaries are two leagues beneath Solihull, though they have a reputation for tough football matched with the ability to mix it with the best.
And Monday night proved no exception as any thoughts in Liam McDonald’s side’s minds that the game would be a breeze were quickly dispelled.
McDonald fielded three trialists in the starting line-up and four more on the bench – which also included four academy players.
Solihull made a confident start when fresh signing Jack Edwards headed wide an accurate cross from Simeon Maye.
It was a quarter hour before the hosts settled, but Moors’ back four looked cohesive with Nathan Vaughan commanding between the sticks
The experience of Paul Green and Darren Carter was clear from the start as the ex Blues man shot wide on 30 minutes following a good move down the left flank by one of the trialists.
Oladapo Afolayan was lively leading the attack – and there seemed to be an understanding between him and Edwards.
But as halftime approached a quick one-two between the pair saw a chance go begging as Barwell cleared their lines, meaning the score remained goalless at half time.
Solihull had far more purpose after the restart as Carter had an ambitious strike from the 18-yard line well saved.
On the hour mark Liam McDonald started to give all the bench players their turn of the action – and it changed the face of the game as fresh energetic legs put Barwell under more pressure.
Academy player Tyrese Shade – soon off for a week to take part in an assessment at Leicester City – proved electric.
It was no surprise on 70 minutes the deadlock was broken when Shade hit a solo effort home from close range for his first goal for the senior team.
Moors then doubled their lead when a trialist got onto the end of Darren Carter’s lob to score from 12-yards.
Coach Liam McDonald was pleased with the overall performance and the manner in which younger players had influenced the second half.
Pictures: Tom King.
