Late Goal Denies Hoops Moors Point

Oxford City 1

McEachran 57'

Solihull Moors 2

Warburton 64’

Stevens 87’

Oxford City were denied a well deserved point as Jack Stevens struck with five minutes to go to see Solihull Moors to victory at the RAW Charging Stadium.

It was only really after the half-time interval that the game really burst into life, with neither defence willing to concede many opportunities on their goals in the first period.

The Hoops opened the scoring just before the hour as Zac McEachran finished a superb move, but the lead lasted only five minutes when Matty Warburton levelled, before Stevens struck with three minutes to play to ensure all points returned up the M40.

SELECTION

Jacob Roddy and Levi Lumeka were added to Ross Jenkins’ squad ahead of kick-off, but both started their City careers on the bench.

There were a couple of changes to the starting XI as well, with Tafari Moore and Olly Sanderson returning to the team, in place of Aaron Williams-Bushell and Renny Smith.

Report

The first save of the match was forced by Reece Fleet, as a good move saw McEachran flick the ball to the City skipper whose effort was well saved by Nick Hayes.

The crossbar was tested at the other end as well, and it was the other skipper in Jamey Osborne whose curling effort hit the upright and allowed City to clear to safety.

Five minutes after the restart and the visitors broke through the City defence with Josh Kelly, but superb defending saw Andre Burley catch up with the midfielder and see the ball behind for a goal-kick.

Kelly was once again played through three minutes later, but Bycroft did well to block the effort on goal.

City however, looked dangerous on the break, particularly with McEachran as the threat. He tried to play a one-two with Josh Parker on the edge of the box on 53 minutes, but was thwarted when he looked to shoot.

But five minutes later, in almost identical fashion, he played a one-two with Parker and this time got into position to rifle the ball past Hayes and give the hosts the lead.

Thoughts on pushing on for victory were quashed five minutes later when Kelly slotted Warburton through one-on-one with Bycroft, with the forward slotting past the City stopper with ease.

An exciting final 20 minutes was in store with both sides looking capable of stealing all three points.

Warburton had a free-kick on the edge of the box blocked by the ball, before he also had a shot from the edge of the box that was deflected over Bycroft and onto the bar.

The Hoops had chances as well as Nya Kirby’s curling effort was over the bar, before Fleet again burst into the box, and was unable to keep his effort down.

But a winner would eventually come, in somewhat chaotic fashion. Bycroft looked to become a hero for the hosts as he pulled off two outstanding saves from point blank range when the visitors looked certain to score. City, however, were unable to clear their lines, and after Bycroft again pulled off a fine save, it fell to Stevens who smashed into the roof of the net. 

Match Details

Attendance: 821 (160 Solihull)

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Bycroft, Burley, Carroll, Roberts; Coyle, Fleet, Kirby, Moore; Sanderson (Potter 71'), McEachran (Williams-Bushell 84'), Parker.

Subs not used: Roddy, Humphrey-Ewers, Lumeka

Solihull Moors XI: 

Hayes; Clarke, Morrison, Whitmore; Benton, Mafuta (Maycock 71'), Osborne, Kelly, Criag; Beck, Warburton (Stevens 83').

Subs not used: Howell, Stearman, Barratt.