• Team News

Solihull Moors were unchanged from the side that came from behind to beat Chesterfield in the semi-final. Adam Rooney & Ryan Boot missed out through injury and Jamey Osborne was suspended. 
 

Starting Line-Up: McDonnell (GK) ; Clarke, Howe, Gudger, Boyes ; Maycock, Storer ; Barnett, Sbarra, Dallas ; Hudlin (4-2-3-1)

 

Likewise, Grimsby Town were also unchanged from the side that came from behind to beat Wrexham in the semi-final. This means striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe remained on the bench despite his impressive performances. 
 

Starting Line-Up: Crocombe (GK) ; Cropper, Waterfall, Smith, Amos ; Fox, Clifton ; Holohan, McAtee, Sousa ; Taylor (4-2-3-1) 

 

  • Story Of The Match!

Both teams began the game strongly and had chances. Solihull’s Callum Howe saw an effort blocked early on before McDonnell was forced into action after a long throw from Grimsby caused all sorts of issues. 
 

Sousa, Clifton and Holohan also had chances in an entertaining first half for Grimsby but Solihull Moors remain strong and blocked the chances. 
 

However, right on the stroke of half-time, Kyle Hudlin put Solihull Moors in-front. Brilliant play from Harry Boyes on the left saw his cross find Kyle Hudlin from ten yards. He powered a header past a Crocombe to give Solihull a well earned lead. 
 

Half Time: Grimsby Town 0-1 Solihull Moors 

Grimsby began the second half strongly and almost grabbed an immediate equaliser. Sousa and Holohan linked up well before finding Clifton, but his effort went inches wide. 
 

The game changed massively after 52 minutes when a head injury saw Solihull Moors lose their goalscorer Kyle Hudlin. This forced a system change for the Moors and arguably put Grimsby firmly in the driving seat. 
 

John McAtee was played in by Gavin Holohan around the hour male but his effort was defended brilliantly by Callum Howe. 
 

However, with twenty minutes to go, Grimsby Town got their equaliser and in truth, it was completely deserved. McAtee was played in down the right hand side and struck an excellent effort across McDonnell into the far corner. 
 

Within minutes, Solihull Moors almost retook the lead when Joe Sbarra found Ryan Barnett out side, his cross found Andrew Dallas but he headed over the bar. 
 

Solihull’s Alex Gudger also headed over from a corner when it seemed easier to score and immediately up the other end, John McAtee came within millimetres of winning it for Grimsby Town but it went wide. 
 

Full Time - Grimsby Town 1-1 Solihull Moors 

Extra time began brightly for Solihull Moors with them forcing Luke Waterfall to make a brilliant piece of defensive play to deny them. Joe Sbarra almost gave Solihull the lead but his long range effort was denied by Max Crocombe. 
 

Half Time ET - Grimsby Town 1-1 Solihull Moors

Six minutes into the half and Grimsby took the lead. Grimsby did well out wide before the ball found it’s way to substitute Jordan Maguire-Drew who fired home the winner. 
 

Fox was forced to make an exceptional piece of defending to break up a Solihull Moors counter attack but by this point, the game was over and Solihull had just ran completely out of ideas. 
 

Full Time ET - Grimsby Town 2-1 Solihull Moors 

 

  • Post Match Thoughts - Grimsby Town

Congratulations to Grimsby Town on their promotion straight back to the EFL at the first time of asking. They worked hard and set-up brilliantly. In the play-offs, all of their matches went to extra time and all of them saw them come from behind to win. On the day, either side could have won but Grimsby took full advantage of an injury to win the game. 
 

  • Post Match Thoughts - Solihull Moors

Solihull Moors can feel extremely hard done by, considering they had full control of the game before Kyle Hudlin was forced off. This forced a set-up/tactics change which Solihull struggled to cope with. They’ve had an excellent season, playing some of the best football in the division and hopefully they can bounce back again next season.