After several years away from non-league football, the display of football on Saturday at the home ground of Solihull Moors was a refreshing experience that brought back a number of good memories of the years I supported Moor Green when they played at The Moorlands on Sherwood Road, Hall Green. The quality of the football had improved, Solihull Moors, by my opinion at least frequently outclassing the opposition, Harrogate in what was a generally very well fought contest allowing the ability of both sides to show in good October conditions. The strong wind that assisted Solihull Moors on the attack in the first half didn't cause great problems in the second-half - Solihull Moors looking the more likely to score throughout the game. Whilst there may have been greater creativity on the part of the Solihull Moors attack and perhaps greater stability in their defence there was not a massive gulf in performance - a number of crunching tackles were made in midfield, notably several made by Harrogate players resulting in Solihull Moors freekicks, most of which didn't trouble the Harrogate defence to any degree. The penalty which decided the game was won, at the time I thought very fairly, however, the photograph I took of it illustrated the Harrogate keeper was making strong attempts to withdraw his arms as shown in the photograph at the top of this blog. There was earlier in the half a disallowed goal scored by Harrogate that, because of pushing against the keeper, didn't stand. The photograph of it perhaps shows this.
After going a goal down late in the game Harrogate looked far more hungry than Solihull Moors to equalise, if not go on ahead and win. Frantic responses from the crowd reminding the players not to become to complacent while leading appeared to convince the players they had what it took to regain control. The final whistle came and Harrogate, if they hadn't won the game, had won a few admirers in the Solihull Moors crowd. A well contested game. See more shots Buoyant Solihull Moors take opportunity to win.
