Solihull Moors made it three wins on the bounce in all competitions, when they cruised past ten man Maidenhead United on Tuesday evening at York Road.
Goals from Alex Gudger and Josh Kelly were the difference as the visitors return to the Midlands with all three points. The home side were also reduced to ten men, following a very weird incident involving goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai and Moors winger Ryan Barnett in the second-half of the match.
With the away side climbing up to third in the table, let's dive into what happened on Tuesday evening...
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Starting Lineup's
Daniel Gyollai (GK) ; Remy Clerima, Zico Asare, Alan Massey, Cole Kpekawa ; Koby Arthur, Ryan Upward, Charlee Adams, Sam Barratt ; Emile Acquah, Reece Smith (4-4-2)
Louie Moulden (GK) ; Ethan Vaughan, Alex Gudger, Fiarce Kelleher, Ben Coker ; Callum Maycock, Kyle Storer ; Ryan Barnett, Joe Sbarra, Josh Kelly ; Alex Reid (4-2-3-1)
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Story Of The Match
Solihull Moors made two changes ahead of the trip to Maidenhead United on Tuesday evening, one enforced. Firstly, loanee Louie Moulden returned between the sticks, after being replaced by Ryan Boot in the previous two matches. Elsewhere, James Clarke missed out through suspension and was replaced by Ethan Vaughan.
The visitors were flying out of the starting blocks, as you would expect from a side winning two consecutive matches on the spin. Loanee Alex Reid, had the games opening chance. He received the ball in the box, attempted to turn his man, but his effort was blocked well by the home side.
The hosts had an effort, that went over the crossbar, before a ten minute spell occurred when neither side really took advantage of the match and the game fizzled out for a period of time.
This was until the twentieth minute, when Solihull Moors took the lead away from home. A cross into the area caused mayhem for the Maidenhead defence, before the ball hit the post. However on the rebound was Alex Gudger to nod the ball into the empty net to make it one nil.
Despite going one nil down, the home side remained second best throughout the remainder of the first half it has to be said. Firstly, Callum Maycock went close to doubling the visitors lead, when he connected with a Ryan Barnett cross but his effort went over. Then, just before the whistle, Ben Coker went very close from a free-kick, however he forced a strong save from Daniel Gyollai in the home side's goal.
Half Time: Maidenhead United 0-1 Solihull Moors
The home side, initially started the second half much brighter, and if anything, it was like a fresh new team had appeared at the break. After dominating possession, Emile Acquah put in a dangerous cross into the area, which Louie Moulden did brilliantly to gather.
Elsewhere, Reece Smith was also looking lively, after returning to the starting eleven, but his long-range effort was saved by Moulden with ease. As a result, the home side were made to be punished just minutes later.
This is when a bizarre incident occurred, as Maidenhead keeper Daniel Gyollai appeared to lash out at Solihull Moors winger Ryan Barnett in the penalty area. The referee had no hesitation at all, and immediately sent the goalkeeper off and awarded the visitors a penalty. Up stepped Josh Kelly against his former club, who slotted it past make-shift goalkeeper Ryan Upward to make it two nil.
Moors playmaker Joe Sbarra went close with a long distanced effort, which clipped the post but didn't cross the line. The game seemingly fizzled out after that and the visitors held on to take all three points.
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Player Of The Match
Deciding the player of the match wasn't entirely straight forward as the game wasn't necessarily the best for either side, even despite Solihull's clean sheet. However, against his former side, Josh Kelly was definitely one of the better players on the night.
Kelly converted a second-half penalty, his second in two matches. Also both penalties were almost a carbon copy of each other. He remained a constant threat throughout the night and he definitely stood out against his old side.