SOLIHULL’S SAFETY NOW NEARING AS HARRY HELPS
HARRY WHITE’S goal was enough to see off Bromley and ensure any Solihull relegation fears are all but over as delighted Moors manager Liam McDonald reflected on a job well done.
Beaming at the full-time whistle, McDonald said: “I was delighted with the three points today, we had to defend for a lot of the second half and I felt we defended exceptionally well. We’ve been working on our shape as a side when not in possession and I thought we saw the benefits of that hard work today.”
In a match short on quality and entertainment, White’s ninth minute opener was a rare highlight as his low curling effort from 12 yards out beat debutant Bromley keeper Ross Flitney.
In keeping with recent home games, both sides struggled to deal with the Hayes Lane pitch and chances were therefore at a premium throughout the match.
Blair Turgott twice went close for the Ravens in the first half, sending his 25-yard drive inches wide in the 14th minute and seeing his free-kick deflected just past Nathan Baxter’s post late in the half. Sandwiched in between the two efforts, White should have done better when played in by George Carline but he sidefooted wide when one on one with Flitney.
On the stroke of halftime Brandon Hanlan went close for the visitors when he outpaced Joel Kettle and cut into the penalty area, but he shot straight at Baxter from a tight angle. The second half was bereft of incident with the Solihull backline, marshalled by the excellent Liam Daly, nullifying whatever Bromley could throw at them. The chances that did arrive came courtesy of second-half substitute Louis Dennis. His trickery on the right wing created an opening for Hanlan in the 55th minute, but he scuffed his shot wide from six yards out. Only one other genuine opportunity was created over the remainder of the second half – again good work from Dennis on the right wing freed up substitute Bradley Goldberg, whose shot on the turn was well saved by Baxter. Late drama was to come when Solihull debutant Daniel Udoh, on loan from Crewe Alexandra, was sent off for two yellow cards. However Bromley were unable to take advantage of the extra man as the Moors held on for the three points. Cutting a frustrated figure at full-time, Bromley manager Neil Smith bemoaned the lack of spark from his men. The result leaves his side 11th as Solihull stand ten points above the bottom four. Smith said “I’m frustrated with the performance, the lads were happy to take the plaudits last week against Tranmere, but today’s performance was disappointing. We didn’t give up, but we didn’t have the required energy to break Solihull down.”