STONES PICK UP A POINT ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE MOORS | Match Report | Solihull Moors vs Wealdstone

Wealdstone picked up a point on the road against an in-form Solihull Moors side on Saturday in a contest that both sides may have been frustrated to have not come away from with a victory. 

A first half goal by Emmanuel Sonupe had put the Moors ahead but their lead was cancelled out within ten minutes thanks to Omar Mussa’s equaliser from a driving effort. The teams created chances to win the game in a breathless second half but neither could find their way to goal again.

Sam Cox made eight changes to the heavily rotated team that defeated West Bromwich Albion U21s in the National League Cup (effectively 10 changes when you take into account Enzio Boldewijn and Nathan Tshikuna’s substitutions just one minute into that fixture), as the Stones returned to full strength to face the Moors.

In a relatively quiet opening period, Solihull Moors created the first real chance as Emmanuel Sonupe burst into the Wealdstone penalty box and forced Baptise into a strong save in the eight minute.

The Stones created an opportunity for themselves ten minutes later as Nathan Tshikuna drew a foul on the edge of the Moors area.  Enzio Boldewijn stepped up to take the free kick but didn’t quite get hold of his shot which was blocked. 

Solihull Moors opened the scoring in the thirty-second minute as Emmanuel Sonupe was played in behind the Wealdstone defence and finished well by lifting the ball over Dante Baptiste. Whether or not Sonupe managed to hold his run long enough to remain onside before receiving the pass is open to debate.

As they have done so often this season, the Stones showed great resilience to respond to going behind and scored an equaliser within six minutes.  Nathan Tshikuna’s lofted free kick delivery was only cleared to the edge of the area where it fell to Omar Mussa who volleyed a low driving effort into the back of the net.

Spurred on by their goal before half-time, the Stones returned from the interval on the front foot. Michah Obiero had an effort deflected over the bar before Jack Cook’s header from the resulting corner was saved comfortably by Laurie Walker. 

The Stones – and Omar Mussa – then had Dante Baptiste to thank after the central midfielder’s misplaced past went straight to a Moors attacker, but the goalkeeper stood tall to make a one-on-one save. 

The game became increasingly stretched as both sides looked for a winner. Connor McAvoy grazed the crossbar in the seventy-second minute with a volleyed effort after the ball fell to him from a Stones corner.

Dante Baptiste produced more heroics shortly after to keep the scores level.  Solihull Moors managed to get down the right-hand side and whip a ball across the face of goal towards Ben Worman who looked certain to head home, yet the Stones keeper showed great determination to throw himself at the shot and keep the ball out from point blank range.

In the closing moments yet another save from Baptiste triggered a counterattack for the Stones. Sak Hassan received the ball on the left wing and managed to cut inside to fire a shot towards the top corner which was tipped over the bar by Laurie Walker.

That would be the final real chance of the game as a goalless but enthralling second half ended with the scores still level. 

Sam Cox’s side will now turn their attention to next weekend’s challenging FA Cup second round match away to Grimsby Town. The Stones have an opportunity to create history for the club by reaching the third round.

Our next match at The Vale will be in the FA Trophy on the 13^th December against Cheshunt. Buy tickets here: https://wealdstonefc.ticketco.events/uk/en/m