| With the league re-organisation imminent at the end of this current season, it would seem that league matches are the order of the day. So with tonight's game being City's ninth cup tie in thirteen games and it also being of little importance, it was no surprise that it wasn't taken too seriously. |
| Having been involved in an important FA Cup game on the previous Saturday and with a potentially difficult contest at Rothwell four days later, Chris Burns opted for a 'weakened' team to take on Solihull. Adam Hemming and Lee Smith formed a partnership up front, Kenny Howard came in at left back and the rest of the team were reshuffled to fill the gaps. To show that we were well under strength, the substitutes bench included Neil Mustoe, Andy Hoskins, Jimmy Cox and Lee Jeffries! |
| This wasn't a good display by City as a seemingly stronger and more settled Solihull team took the bull by the horns. In the opening minutes our best chance fell to Dave Wilkinson as he put the keeper under pressure from a deep cross. It was apparent that the rest of the team forgot that both Cox and Hoskins were on the bench as both Lee and Adam were only served high balls, neither of the pair stood a chance against a well marshalled defence. |
| In the twelth minute City went behind as a Solihull corner to the back of the far post was nodded back into the box and stabbed home by Adam Cooper. Whether they were really up for this game or not is open to discussion but they were certainly the better team on the night and their possesion proved it. They were unlucky as they shot against the post whilst City's best chances were easily gathered by the keeper. |
| It was a rainy night, wet, fine rain and with very little action at the T-End the Solihull keeper set off around the pitch markings as a means of keeping warm. After a period of little activity at either end Solihull broke forward and shot wide from a good position before eventually doubling their lead just before half time. A free kick was given away out wide in a position where there's never any need to foul and Cooper ran unmarked to the near post to head his second goal past Bath. |
| With little more than five minutes to go until the break City raised their game and could've pulled at least one goal back as Hemming and Smith finally got some decent service. On a night of no bookings, it was surprising that the Borough player who caught Smith very late didn't see yellow. From the ensuing free kick, Dave Wilkinson beat the keeper to the ball but his header rolled agonisingly wide of the open goal. |
| Two goals down at half time, with Adie Harris having possibly his worst game since his spell under John Murphy, he was replaced by Karl Bayliss as City played with three men up front. There really wasn't too much action at either end though as Solihull soaked up all City threw at them and seemed content to sit back on their two goal lead. |
| Lee Smith found room at the far post as he met a deep cross from Keith Knight but his timing was out and he shot wide. That was pretty much all the action for the occasional striker as he made way for Jimmy Cox as City tried to appease the record low crowd in attendance. |
| With City now looking for a way back into the game, Chris Burns gave the ball away outside his own area and the Solihull player got to the goal line before cutting the ball back to the penalty spot for his team mate to score. Their delight was clear for all to see and one City fan on the T-End shouted for Burns to take himself off, a suggestion which didn't go unheard by the player boss as he replaced himself with Neil Mustoe. |
| Coxy pulled a goal back for City with ten minutes to go as he found space in the area before side stepping and slamming the ball home. If there was any hope that we might come back into the game Solihull had different ideas as first they forced a good save from Bath and then proceeded to score a fourth. |
| This was certainly a night to forget, it's a long while since we've been as outplayed as we were tonight and although the club didn't see this as a competiton worthy of winning, it was painful for the paying public to watch. |
