Solihull Moors came from behind to draw with Torquay United in what Mark Yates described as ‘probably our worst performance since we arrived’.
Brett Williams opened the scoring for the visitors from the penalty spot after Fiacre Kelleher felled Elliott Romain. However, Adi Yussuf scored for the first time since his debut to secure what could prove a critical point.
Yussuf was the only change to the starting XI for this one, returning from suspension to replace Kwame Thomas. Alex Reid kept his place after scoring in midweek while Kristian Green returned to the squad, Ben Frempah and Romario Martin both dropping out.
The swirling winds and snow failed to help what was already expected to be a tight affair, Luke Young and Adi Yussuf having the only notable chances of the first half-hour but neither testing the goalkeepers.
On 32 minutes, Tyrone Williams’ pass somehow found Yussuf who had pinned his marker on the edge of the box. In one swift movement, Yussuf turned left and struck towards goal only to see the ball rebound off the inside of the post and roll behind Vincent Dorel in the Torquay net.
That moment was made all the worse when a penalty was given in favour of the visitors. Elliott Romain proved too powerful for Fiacre Kelleher whose long legs tangled with Romain as he entered the area. Brett Williams, who returned to Torquay after a spell at Bromley this season, stepped up and tucked the ball into the keeper’s right-hand corner.
Clearly unhappy with what he had seen, Yates replaced Alex Reid with Kwame Thomas at half-time and though The Moors improved, it was Torquay who had the better chances.
Max O’Leary struggled to clear a rolling ball comfortably and when he did, he found Luke Young 30 yards out – thankfully his effort lacked power and O’Leary could gather comfortably. A while later, a corner was flicked on at the near post to Sean McGinty who somehow hit the foot of the post.
Williams tried for a second from distance but his effort was too central before Tommy O’Sullivan showed quick feet to find Romain whose powerful strike was palmed away from danger by O’Leary.
This group may have been underperforming but it’s difficult to write them off and they avenged midweek with a late equaliser of their own. Jamey Osborne’s free-kick found Liam Daly on the penalty spot. He nodded down and Yussuf was on hand to prod the ball home from a couple of yards out. Get in!
The reaction after the goal was largely about getting back to the halfway line to get a second and the boys certainly set about that task. Reckord found Hylton down the left-channel where his sharp turn allowed him to find Yussuf who had made the ground up but couldn’t set his feet quick enough to trouble Dorel.
In injury-time, Max O’Leary’s long free-kick was won by Thomas and into the path of Hylton whose shot fell agonisingly wide of the post.
A disappointing result and performance but it’s been such a rarity since Yates joined that it’s difficult to be anything more than frustrated. With games against Bromley and Halifax Town coming up next week, the boys have a great chance to regroup and show their mettle.
Come on you Moors!
Starting XI: O’Leary; Williams, Kelleher, Daly, Reckord; Osborne, Storer (P.Green), Carter (Carline); Reid (Thomas), Hylton, Yussuf
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