HARRY White’s strike in injury time proved to be a case of too little too late on Saturday afternoon as Solihull Moors made a premature exit in the Buildbase FA Trophy, reports John Clothier.
The Moors lost 2-1 to Northern Premier League rivals Matlock Town, who has the majority of possession throughout the contest and made the most of their chances.
New manager Liam McDonald couldn’t put an end to Moors’ luckless run in the competition, which they’ve only advanced past the first round once in the competition’s history.
New signings Luke Rodgers and Nortie Nortey were announced in the starting line-up as Moors made a positive start when Connor Franklin’s cross couldn’t be reached by anyone present in the box.
Moors’ pressure failed to deter the visitors though as the home side failed to clear a free-kick which was eventually converted by De Girolamo at the far post.
Star striker Akwasi Asante went close shortly after Matlock’s opening goal, however both sides entered the break level.
The visiting side doubled their lead after an hour when Moors failed to deal with a break down the right wing as Newsham missed an initial chance, however Dinanga converted a simple chance from three yards to put the Gladiators’ two goals ahead.
With time desperately running out, McDonald opted to bring on Harry White in a last ditch attempt to rescue the game.
But Moors’ already high mountain to climb got higher when Rodgers was sent off with four minutes of normal time remaining.
White pegged one back for Moors in the seven minutes of added on time, but his strike wasn’t enough to rescue a replay as Matlock Town advanced to the second round.
In the space of a week Moors were knocked out of both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.
Solihull next face a tough away encounter against Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League, where Moors will aim to avenge the 2-5 home defeat against the London club back in September.
