Match Report: Forest Green Rovers 1–1 Solihull Moors
Forest Green Rovers were held to a frustrating draw at The New Lawn as they came from behind to secure a point.
The Moors took the lead on 43 minutes after centre-half Alex Whitmore beat Harry Isted at his near post following a set-piece routine.
Manager Robbie Savage made a switch at half-time, after which Rovers improved. Nick Haughton got the Green Army back on level terms in the 62nd minute with a well-taken goal. Rovers knocked on the door repeatedly in the final half hour but couldn’t find a way past the visitors from the Midlands.
First Half
The conditions at The New Lawn left much to be desired here in GL6, as Rovers had the first chance of the game in the opening ten minutes. Harry Whitwell drove forward from midfield, only for his shot to be well blocked by the covering Moors defender Whitmore.
The game drifted during the next ten minutes after a flurry of yellow cards from the referee, who issued three in three minutes across both teams. At times, it could be argued that the game was slipping out of the referee's control in the opening stages.
The game slowly began to open up in the 30th minute, with McAllister having two fairly good chances, one going wide of the upright after some good link-up play with Temi Babalola.
However, it was the Moors who broke the deadlock on 42 minutes with their only shot on target of the game. Whitmore guided the ball past Isted’s near post after a set-piece situation.
Half-time: Forest Green Rovers 0–1 Solihull Moors
Second Half
Robbie Savage made just one change at the break, with Isaac Moore replaced by Tre Pemberton.
Savage’s men came out with the bit between their teeth, ramping up the pressure on the Moors’ defence. Whitwell saw an effort cleared off the line, and Moors’ keeper Walker was soon called into action again to deny a Tom Knowles header.
Nick Haughton dragged Rovers back into the game shortly after a triple substitution by the visitors. Haughton took his goal superbly, twisting and turning in the area before smashing the ball into the bottom corner.
Rovers continued to push bodies forward in search of a winner. Babalola had the East Stand on its feet in the 72nd minute, but his effort crashed into the side netting.
Despite all the pressure, Rovers huffed and puffed but couldn’t find the decisive goal, with the points shared in testing conditions.
Rovers now welcome Weston-super-Mare next week in the third round of the FA Trophy.
Full-time: Forest Green Rovers 1–1 Solihull Moors
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Buyabu (Clarke, 74), Kanu (Robson, 82), Mendy, Knowles, Bunker, Moore (Pemberton, 46), Whitwell, Haughton, McAllister, Babalola.
Subs not used: McNicholas, Dausch, Bamba, Kengni.
Solihull Moors: Walker, Clarke, French, Whitmore, Green, Lipsiuc (Nicholson, 86), High, Osborne (Worman, 61), Sinclair (Sounupe, 62), Sbarra (Tipton, 61), Stevenson.
Subs not used: Bowen, Nurse, Flahavan.
Attendance: 1,894 (Away, 124)
