Margin not as thin as it looks

Football is a game of thin margins and the 0-1 victory by Solihull Moors at the New Windmill Ground may seem to confirm this impression. However, whereas a draw would have been a fairer result against Gloucester City, Moors deserved their victory last night. With their considerable strength they out muscled Leamington and were quicker to the ball which they kept moving at a fast pace. Two blokes in front of me kept proclaiming that Brakes were merde. However, in my view Moors were the best team we have seen at Harbury Lane this season, even better than Altrincham. They look serious promotion contenders.

That the score was kept down to 0-1 says something for the commitment and work rate of the team, even if it wasn't always sophisticated. Once again I would single out Tony Breeden for praise. He made a number of great saves. The goal wasn't down to him but to a mix up in the defence.

We are still on a learning curve as far as this division is concerned, but it is a league worth playing in. On a damp evening with Champions League football, the attendance of 548 was boosted by a substantial contingent of Moors supporters.

We did have an early flurry with two corners and a shot that came off the bar. Brakes had a bit of a let off early in the half when the visitors managed to waste opportunities from a corner and a free kick.

Full credit to Paul McCone for a great block in the first half. He also made use of a good cross later in the half to put in an effort that was just wide. When Moors charm merchant Jordan Gough brought down the lively Dodd, I was expecting a yellow card and indeed the referee gave one for a similar offence against Brakes in the second half.

Solihull had three corners in succession early in the second half, but were unable to make them count. They then had a free kick in a dangerous position which came off the wall. Ricky Johnson was taken off and replaced by Craig Owen. Solihull's No.10 shirt (Junior English, for it was he) charged into Breeden and received a yellow card. Elliott Sandy, who got himself booked at Stockport, was substituted by Alex Taylor. The ball hit the post as Solihull continued to threaten.

Josh Green was injured and had to be helped off the pitch. On 86 minutes Solihull scored their winner, the ball slipping past Breeden. Brakes then had their best spell of the match, playing less defensively and taking the game to the visitors. Singh in the Moors goal had to tip the ball over the crossbar and another shot went just wide.

For those of you who have been waiting for my history of Leamington Town's 1912-13 season, the equipment at the bookbinders has at last been mended. It will be on sale at Saturday's game, but if anyone living away from Leamington wants a copy please contact me, but I will have to charge 50p postage and packing on top of the £5 cover price or £1 outside the UK.