Fixture Weekend 3
Birmingham County Walking Football League (Division One)
Solihull Moors Finest 0 Hartshill Walkers 1
Sunday 13th October 2024
Solihull Moors Finest were edged out by a narrow 1-0 defeat in a hard-fought contest against Hartshill Walkers. In a game with few chances, the decisive moment came via a disputed penalty that ultimately separated the two sides.
Solihull were down to the bare bones, with a number of key players missing and no substitutes until the final 10 minutes of the match. Despite this, the team put in a valiant display, showing incredible determination and resilience.
The game’s pivotal moment came when Hartshill were awarded a controversial penalty, much to the frustration of the Solihull players. That single goal proved to be the difference, but Solihull could take pride in their collective effort and commitment throughout the game.
Neil Geeling made his debut for Solihull and delivered a solid performance. His game was only interrupted by a five-minute spell in the sin bin due to a high knee challenge. During his absence, the rest of the team showed excellent game management, coping well with being a man down.
Steve Judd also made his return to action after a three-month injury layoff, putting in a commendable 45-minute shift out of the 50 played, contributing well to the team’s determined efforts.
On another day, Solihull’s hard work might have been rewarded, as there was very little to separate the two teams. The squad will feel hard done by but can hold their heads high after a gutsy performance. Unlucky, but well done, lads.
Fixture Weekend 2
Birmingham County Walking Football League (Division One)
Solihull Moors Finest 1 Shard End 1
Sunday 22nd September 2024
Solihull Moors Finest maintained their unbeaten run in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a resilient Shard End side. The game began with Moors controlling possession well, moving the ball with purpose from defence to midfield without rushing, minimising the risk of being caught out by Shard End's quick forwards. Roland Birriello, making his debut, and Tom Maloney were solid at the back, dealing comfortably with the few shots that did come through, all handled well by goalkeeper Shaun Dywer.
Midway through the first half, Moors produced a slick 5-6 pass combination involving Billy Morrison, Steve Cox, Phil Kay, and Bill Tiwana. The sequence ended with a slight deflection that fell to Tim Tyler, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to give Moors a deserved 1-0 lead. The team managed the remainder of the half well, going into the break ahead.
The second half saw forced changes due to warnings, and the team discussed the need to move the ball quicker and limit their running, following the referee’s guidance. Despite their efforts, Moors found it difficult to break down Shard End, who remained aggressive and often closed them down quickly, sometimes resulting in Moors being penalised. This led to frustration as Moors’ forward Billy Morrison was left without much service, and the team struggled to penetrate the final third.
With 10 minutes remaining, Shard End earned a controversial equaliser when the referee penalised a Moors player for encroaching into the area during a corner, despite the player clearly being pushed. The resulting goal made it 1-1, leaving Moors stunned.
Moors pushed for a winner despite Steve Cox being forced off with an injury. Late in the game, Billy Morrison played Tim Tyler through for a potential winner, only for the play to be pulled back for running, and Tyler was shown a blue card, reducing Moors to six players. In a similar fashion, Morrison later found himself 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper and scored, but once again the effort was ruled out for running.
In the closing stages, Mark Sheridan and Roland Birriello held firm at the back, ensuring Shard End had little opportunity to threaten further. Despite the late drama and frustrating decisions, Moors finished with a solid defensive display to secure the draw.
Final Score: Solihull Moors Finest 1-1 Shard End. Moors’ unbeaten run continues with a disciplined team performance despite the difficult circumstances.
Division One Results Round-Up
Division One League Table
Fixture Weekend 1
Birmingham County Walking Football League (Division One)
Solihull Moors Finest 3 Blackwood 2
Sunday 8th September 2024
Solihull Moors Finest secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Blackwood in an intense and competitive match.
The first half saw Moors start brightly, playing some excellent football with sharp passing and solid team support. This patient build-up play paid off when Billy Morrison threaded a ball through to Steve Cox, who calmly finished to put Moors 1-0 up.
With strong defending from Bill Tiwana and Mark Sheridan and support from a solid midfield of Steve Cox, Tim Tyler, and Phil Kay, Moors looked in control. Their dominance led to a second goal as Billy Morrison once again played Cox in, who was forced wide but managed a shot that rebounded off the post. Tim Tyler was perfectly positioned to slot home the rebound, doubling Moors’ lead.
Looking comfortable at 2-0, Moors made a few changes with Tom Maloney and Mike Woodcraft coming on to maintain the team's intensity. However, a brief lapse in defensive tracking allowed Blackwood to take advantage and pull one back before halftime, making it 2-1.
In the second half, more substitutions saw Billy Morrison and Tim Tyler take a break, but Moors pressed early and were rewarded again. Steve Cox sliced through the Blackwood defence to score his second of the game, giving Moors a 3-1 lead.
Despite the cushion, Blackwood refused to back down and pressed hard, capitalising on a period where Moors sat back and rushed their play. Their persistence paid off as they clawed another goal back to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finish.
Morrison and Tyler were reintroduced to steady the ship, and the team came together to see out the game. Some nervy moments followed, but outstanding goalkeeping from Sean O'Dwyer ensured Moors held on for a well-deserved victory as the final whistle blew.
A solid performance and a crucial win for Solihull Moors Finest.
Division One Results Round-Up
Division One League Table
Season 2023/2024
Birmingham County Walking Football League Championship
Solihull Moors Finest 3 Hartshill Old Boys 1
Sunday 26th November
3:30 Kick-Off
In the opening half, Solihull Moors Finest displayed a strong start, controlling the game and pressing forward. Despite only securing a narrow 1-0 lead at halftime, courtesy of Steve Cox's goal, they had ample opportunities to widen the gap, as Neil Coles, Ricky Perry, and Steve Cox (twice) all struck the post. The second half continued Moors Finest's dominance, with Steve Cox completing a hat-trick to extend the lead. Although Hartshill managed a late response, netting a goal in the second half, the game concluded with a 3-1 victory for Solihull Moors Finest.
