VNL#23 vs. Solihull Moors (match-thread)

[os]

What I like about today was seeing us back to playing the ball on the ground and using the width of the pitch. We have left behind that aimless high ball stuff and look the better for it. Our movement was better all over the pitch, although work still needs to be done with the front boys. They are not settled yet, but that will come in time.

Defensively, we were without Aswad, Cloughie, and Deano, and I also think Dos has been more attacking minded, trading conceding goals for scoring them.

I thought Solihull were lucky to end with 11 on the field, they were certainly physical and well organised, but in truth a fully firing U's side would have blown them away before HT.

[kpinwp]

I really enjoyed that. Two teams playng with purpose and spirit in a close match. An afternoon well spent.

[markf]

If the points went to the best footballing side, U's would have won but as we all know the game isn't like that. Having the advantage of the strong breeze and later mini-gale certainly helped but I thought Jamie B got far more distance than Boot who's first half problems allowed U's to get a lot of the ball. Playing on the deck with good movement Sutton carved out a lot of opportunities but found Boot in fine form between the posts if not with his, well, boot and The Moors hitherto, miserly defence prepared to hang on to that proud record. Boot made one brilliant save from Nick B's free-kick that was heading into the top corner.

The goal when it came, of course, was against the run of the ball. U's failed to deal with it in midfield, Osborne broke and hit low past Butler. U's response was immediate. Dale B's ball in was as good as cuddled by Gudger but with loud appeals for a pen ignored, Dundo squared and Wayne brown opened his account.

1-1 was not a fair reflection of the first half and Moors made a significant h-t change bring on Carline for Reckford. Within minutes the sub was hurling a long throw into the box and U's never got it cleared and as Nicky B bravely put his head in low to clear a cross ball he was distracted by a presence of a Moors player and Osborne netted. Yussuf missed a sitter later on before Kenny D's wonderful free-kick restored parity. Considering it was against the stiffening wind, it really was an excellent strike.

Most observers say fair result but I thought we used the conditions better, made more chances and played the better football against a very good side, full of confidence.

Wayne Brown wa given nlp, motm - deserved, although the bloke only gave Easty 6, which makes you wonder what these guys watch. Brad Pearce backed up his performance at Fylde with another solid one. With no Cloughie or Aswad and against a team on a real roll, this was a good point.

On to the ref. Thought we got little out of him but he missed stuff both ways. Storer, having fouled Wayne brown before Kenny's f-k, could have gone because the foul was a yellow and he seemed to have a go after as well. Probably why Craig E got booked. Late in the game, Hylton who had spent most of his time standing on free-kicks with the ref allowing it was very late on Dale B. Not sure he ever had any intention of getting the ball and a yellow was fortunate. NLP gave him 7 and I reckon that was generous.

One win in eight (all comps) but only one defeat in eleven (discounting the SSC and penalty shoot outs). Currently, very hard to beat.

On to Hayes Lane for the Trophy. Bromley has made three decent signings this week and while they are closer to the foot of the table, we all know this will be a very tough cup tie.

[pinewalker]

An excellent football match in the conditions. I thought Brandon TA the MoM, with a front-running performance of such intensity only Tommy Wright has come close to it in recent years. Much better balance to U's too. I had remarked on the team's reluctance to attack into the Collingwood-entrance quarter in recent matches always favouring the stands side. This was completely cured, enabling Sutton to stretch Moors defence to pieces. At the back Pearce was amazingly cool and comfortable on the ball, a real find!

Sod's law had not been excluded though and when Nicky slipped on the soaking surface Moors had 2 men over. They found Osborne who scored with their only on target shot of the half. After the break, when Butler pulled the second ball out of his net Osborne and Moors had scored with both their on-target shots. That time several defenders had tried playing football in their area rather than playing the conditions. It was noticeable that U's upped their intensity immediately after going behind on both occasions, and I wonder if our draw record comes from easing off slightly when parity is restored?

[jr]

As I said after the Fylde game we’re back. There was so much energy in the team at times Solihull couldn’t cope. Boot made some cracking saves first half with Taylor unlucky not to score from a rebound. Baileys magnificent free kick was brilliantly saved and then they score with their only shot of the half.

Eastmond was outstanding and as Frakey said the marked in the NLP must have been watching a different match. Brown got 9 out of 10 and still didn’t make the team of the day!

Certainly it was the best game down the Lane for a while. Really entertaining stuff from 2 good teams.

Roll on Saturday