Tuesday 2nd September | Enterprise National League | The ARMCO Arena

Junior Morias’ strike in first-half injury time proved enough to separate the sides on a wet evening in the West Midlands.

Interim manager Richard Dryden made one change to the side that fell narrowly at FC Halifax Town on Saturday, with Kyle Ferguson returning to the back line in place of Alex Whittle. Speaking after the game, Dryden revealed the reshuffle was something his staff had been working on in the short turnaround between fixtures.

The Glovers made a bright start, forcing an opening inside the first two minutes. Josh Sims tested Laurie Walker with a fierce strike from a tight angle, winning an early corner, though the resulting delivery was cleared. At the other end, debutant Jacob Wakeling, recently signed from Peterborough, was denied by a strong stop from Jed Ward.

Wakeling remained a lively outlet for the hosts, breaking down the left and looking to square across goal, but Ferguson tracked back well to block. Former Glover Emmanuel Sonupe then went close in the 17th minute, steering a deflected free-kick towards goal which Ward did well to push wide. Soon after, Cameron Green struck from distance, though his attempt failed to trouble the Yeovil goalkeeper.

As the half progressed, Yeovil began to find openings of their own. McCormick drove through midfield on the half-hour to release Greenslade, but the forward’s low strike lacked conviction and drifted wide. With the rain beginning to fall heavily over the ARMCO Arena, chances became scrappier. Greenslade was almost played through again by McGavin, but Walker reacted quickly to smother the danger.

Sims remained a threat down the right, linking with Williams to deliver into the box, though no teammate could apply a finishing touch. Sonupe, meanwhile, volleyed wide from a corner at the other end.

The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time. James Plant’s attempted cross from the left deflected kindly into the path of Morias at the back post, and the forward kept his composure to fire low beyond Walker, sending Yeovil into the interval a goal to the good.

Half-Time: Solihull Moors 0-1 Yeovil Town

Solihull came out after the restart determined to respond, with Wakeling again at the centre of their attacking play. He fired into the side-netting from a narrow angle on 53 minutes before spurning the hosts’ best chance on the hour, racing onto a ball over the top but sending his effort over the bar with only Ward to beat. Pendleton was cautioned for delaying a throw soon after.

Dryden introduced Aaron Jarvis for Greenslade on 55 minutes, before further changes saw Ben Wodskou and former Moors forward Tahvon Campbell brought on to freshen up the attack. Wodskou was immediately involved, breaking down the right and squaring for Jarvis, who in turn looked to set up McGavin before Solihull scrambled clear.

Ward remained alert to turn a speculative Wakeling strike around the post as Solihull pushed to get back into the game. With Ferguson forced off after a knock, Cousin-Dawson and Whittle were also introduced as Yeovil looked to protect their lead.

The Glovers still carved out opportunities to seal the game late on. Plant drove into the box and saw his shot blocked, Jarvis laid the ball off for Wodskou whose strike was charged down, before Williams squared across goal for Jarvis who could not convert from a tight angle. McCormick also tested Walker as the visitors pushed for a second goal.

Campbell was shown a yellow card just before the 90, leaving Yeovil to defend deep into stoppage time as the board signalled eight additional minutes. Solihull launched a succession of free-kicks and corners into the box, with even goalkeeper Walker joining the attack, but the Yeovil defence held firm under pressure to secure a valuable clean sheet and their first points on the road this campaign.

Attention now turns to Huish Park this weekend, where York City will be the visitors as the Glovers aim to build on their first away win of the season.

Full-Time: Solihull Moors 0-1 Yeovil Town
Scorer:
Yeovil Town – Junior Morias (45+2′)