Solihull Moors will now be eager to find out who they face in the first round of this season’s FA Cup, after picking up a one-nil victory against Basford United. 
 

In what turned out to be a very tight affair, both sides threw everything they had in order to qualify for the first round proper. However, Solihull Moors loanee Alex Reid was on hand to score the only goal of the match after sixty minutes. 
 

However, the final half-an-hour was full of chances, with both sides throwing everything they had at the match. Solihull’s Ryan Boot had to be alert to deny the visitors on several occasions, whilst the likes of Joe Sbarra and Josh Kelly continued to cause problems all game. 
 

  • Starting line-ups 

Solihull Moors

Ryan Boot (GK) ; James Clarke, Callum Howe, Fiarce Kelleher, Ben Coker ; Callum Maycock, Callum Whelan ; Ryan Barnett, Joe Sbarra, Alex Reid ; Josh Kelly (4-2-3-1) 

Basford United

Kieran Preston (GK) ; Owen Betts, Josh Barnes, Adam Chapman, Dom Roma, Stern Irvine, Luther Munakandafa, Matt Thornhill, Gregg Smith, Anthony Dwyer, Ben Starkie (4-4-2) 

 

  • Story of the match

Solihull Moors received a major boost in the starting line-up, as first choice keeper Ryan Boot returned from a long-term injury to start in goal, ahead of loanee Louie Moulden. Elsewhere, Joey Jones also returned to the bench for the first time since joining the club in July. 
 

Unsurprisingly, the National League side started much stronger of the two sides, with Moors playmaker Joe Sbarra going close with a long-range effort, but his effort went wide. Winger Ryan Barnett also went close for the home side and forward Alex Reid somehow failed to score from close range. 
 

The next ten minute period was continuously dominated by Neal Ardley’s side, with Barnett and Ben Coker having close effort’s. The best chance of the first-half came after twenty minutes when Ryan Barnett was once again involved, however this time his close-range effort was kept out brilliantly by the Basford United goalkeeper. 
 

As the first-half continued, Solihull grew increasingly frustrated with Alex Reid missing from close range and Joe Sbarra seeing an effort tipped over the crossbar. 
 

Coker’s dangerous looking cross/shot caused all sort’s of issues for the Basford defence but danger was avoided. Finally, Josh Kelly bent a superb free-kick just over the bar as the first half drew to a close in very frustrating but entertaining circumstances. 
 

Half time: Solihull Moors 0-0 Basford United

 

Going into the second-half, Ardley’s men picked up as they left off, with Callum Maycock doing brilliantly in midfield to find Josh Kelly, but his header went over the bar. 
 

It took the visitors forty-nine minutes to have their first threat on goal as Anthony Dwyer raced forward, beating several players but his low cross failed to find a Basford teammate. Howe was again on hand for the visitors but his effort went just wide of Ryan Boot’s goal. 
 

However, on the hour mark, Solihull Moors finally found the breakthrough in a very tight affair at the Armco Arena. Maycock and Whelan linked up brilliantly in midfield before the former slipped a through-ball to striker Alex Reid, who calmly slotted the ball past the out-rushing Basford keeper to make it one-nil. 

 

Despite going behind, Basford United responded brilliantly and really took the match to the home side. Winger Ben Starkie had the visitor’s best chance but was denied brilliantly by Boot before going close again just minutes later. 
 

Solihull Moors will be frustrated not to have doubled their advantage with fifteen minutes to play, as full-back James Clarke beat two players before delivering an outstanding cross which agonisingly missed the slide of Alex Reid at the back post. 
 

Fortunately for the National League side, Solihull held on to make it six consecutive FA cup qualifications and await their opponents in Monday evening’s draw.  
 

Full time: Solihull Moors 1-0 Basford United

  • Player of the match

Full credit goes to all of the Basford United players for their efforts in the competition, and efforts on the day. However, the man of the match is the goal-scorer Alex Reid.
 

Reid had a tough game in-truth, but remained a constant threat going forward for Neal Ardley’s side. He also created chances for his side and took his finish very well to send the Moors through to the next round of the cup.