Moors denied by cruel offside flag
PROUD Tim Flowers praised his Solihull Moors players for ‘giving it a right go’ as they held League One Blackpool to a goalless draw at Damson Park in front of the TV cameras on Friday night.
And while that was enough to take the National League’s surprise package into the third round draw for the first time in their history, the manager conceded they had chances to win it, especially with a ‘goal’ had not been controversially ruled out for offside.
“Without a doubt I thought we deserved a replay,” Flowers said. “Considering there were no goals I thought it was a decent FA Cup tie with plenty of endeavour which was really all I asked for from the boys.
“I told them to make it a proper cup tie because sometimes you see a few dead rubbers with people swapping and changing – not that we could do that – but they went out and gave it a right go.
“It opened up a little bit in the second half and there were chances for both teams. Ryan Boot made some great saves for us and we had some great chances as well. Jamey Osborne has one at the end, it looked like it was going in but one of their back three made a great block.
“They are red hot favourites now but we will go there and give it our best shot.”
The controversy came midway through the first half when a wellworked corner saw Osborne and Carter combine with the latter whipping the ball in for Alex Gudger to crash home only to be denied by the assistant’s flag. Flowers said: “It was a move that we have worked on. I have seen it back on a monitor that was quite a bit away so it was hard to tell. When it went in the net I always have a quick look so I could see his flag up so I knew. It was a shame because it was well worked.” That aside, the pick of the chances came after the break with Blackpool’s Armand Gnanduillet missing a sitter from six yards following a delightful passing move whle a fierce drive from Joe Dodoo forced an excellent low save from Boot. At the other end, Adi Yussuf had a goalbound shot deflected over the bar by Curtis Tilt before Osbourne’s late effort was blocked on the line by Donervon Daniels. Seasiders boss Terry McPhillips paid tribute to Moors, admitting the replay will be just as tough for his players. “It won’t be easy at ours,” he added. “We’re expecting a really tough game at Bloomfield. “They have some good payers. The lads up front were a handful and their lads at the back were hard to get past. They also played some good football so I’m really pleased that we’re in the hat and we go again.”
STAR MAN: Darren Carter (Solihull Moors) ATT: 3,005 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Ross Joyce 7/10