During the course of 2016, Solihull Moors have made plenty of history.
It began with promotion, beating all before them in the 2015/16 National League North division. Then came a first victory and first hat-trick for Moors in the fifth tier, the latter followed by a first ever TV fixture and, of course a first TV victory, a thumping.
The draw for the final qualifying round of the F.A Cup presented Moors with the perfect opportunity to go further than ever before. One win and it was the F.A Cup first round proper for the first time. Drawing injury-hit, mid-table 7th tier outfit Kettering Town was about as good as the Moors could hope for.
Moors have made a thing of beating the sides they ought to be beating this term. All five of their victories have come against sides in the bottom half of the table – Sutton United, Bromley, Guiseley, Maidstone United, Southport – and with the opportunity available, a strong XI would be expected to see off Kettering.
This was no foregone conclusion, however. Kettering are a club that have bypassed the odds numerous times in the F.A Cup, relative veterans of the F.A Cup’s first round, a club with a history few non-league clubs can match including more F.A Cup goals than any other outfit in the history of the competition and coming to blows with giants such as Fulham and Leeds United over the last decade.
As expected, Bignot went full strength. Akwasi Asante was the only loss to the line-up beaten down at Aldershot with Andy Brown returning as new signings Eddie Jones and Joel Dielna sat awaiting debuts from the bench. Meanwhile, Kettering were delighted to have Rene Howe back in their XI but recent injury concerns meant this was not a full strength XI in its best shape to take on powerful opponents with proven quality.
The visitors put up a fight for the first ten minutes or so before Moors took control. Osborne was aggressive in midfield and drove through the centre before finding Andy Brown. The burly forward’s number 9 fell into the path of Beswick who couldn’t quite sort his feet out as he half-volleyed wide. He wouldn’t be denied for long.
Sterling-James’ tight footwork was a big feature throughout and Rene Howe was a victim, conceding a free-kick 20 yards out. Beswick stepped up and carefully guided the ball into the bottom corner.
Five minutes later and Moors were in full control. Murombedzi was too strong for Dom Langdon and mowed down the right-hand side at speed. His cross to the back post was wonderful and Andy Brown simply doesn’t miss those chances. He rose high and powered his header beyond Snedker.
After giant Liam Daly fired wide at the back post with Snedker under more pressure from a set-piece, Moors somehow kept the ball out of their net when a ball in from the right was fumbled by Vaughan. Bodies pounced all over the area but the hosts were stubborn and Weir-Daley walked away scarcely believing his luck as the score remained 2-0 at half-time.
The second began with more of the same and the Poppies were made to pay eventually. Sterling-James was having a fine game on the left-hand side and turned beautifully into the left-channel before taking on another body. His left-footed crosses fell finely for Andy Brown who was patient at the back post and made his sizeable frame count, jumping early and heading low to kill the tie.
It was Sterling-James’ last action as he became the first of three substitutions that involved Eddie Jones and Joel Dielna making their debuts. Dielna could not get involved an awful lot but clearly has a bit of pace and energy that will prove useful as the season goes by while Eddie Jones is stocky, tenacious and showed a willingness to get into the box, something that bodes well with regards to his future at the Moors.
Kettering pulled a goal back late on when James Brighton’s free-kick found the head of James Haran, a goal that had been coming with Moors slacking off somewhat. The visitors almost made it a nervy finish as Dom Langdon’s header was powered wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.
The clouds began to circle and the lighting grew dimmer as the full-time whistle blew but the smiles on faces of Moors’ men provided the shine that has seen the club continue its sharp acceleration into the hearts of locals.
Another day for the history books.
Starting XI: Vaughan; Fagbola, Daly, Gough, Franklin; Byrne; Murombedzi (Dielna), Beswick, Osborne (Jones), Sterling-James (Knights); Brown
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