The Stones’ cup journey came to an end in the Midlands as Solihull Moors scored three second half goals to progress into the Second Round.
It was one of those games where the scoreline didn’t tell the whole story as the players battled well for long parts against a side that were a couple of penalty kicks away from reaching the Football League last season.
With Jon Benton’s current loan deal from his parent club and unable to play in the tie, it allowed George Fowler to come back onto the starting XI having missed out last week through illness.
It was a frantic start with both sides using the widths really well and looking to force the issue. Danger man for the home side Jack Stevens looked to try and bend one into the far corner from the left hand side which had Alexis Andre Jr beaten but thankfully went just past the post.
The game plan was clear which was to catch Solihull out on the counter attack and as usual, Aaron Blair was putting the two centre backs under some much needed pressure at times which made things just slightly uncomfortable for the Moors. Mid-way inside the first half, Blair slipped the ball in for Pierre Fonkeu who for a second looked to be in on goal but a superb last ditch challenge from Finn Howell denied him the chance to potentially put George Elokobi’s men ahead.
Moors skipper Jamey Osborne caused all sorts of issues for the Stones backline with his long throws and it nearly paid off just past the half hour mark. Alex Whitmore managed to flick a header on from the throw which forced Andre Jr into a scrappy save but the defence were able to clear their line. Soon after, Whitmore was involved again as he looked to glance a header from James Gale’s cross but couldn’t connect with it properly.
The Stones still carried a threat and shortly before half-time, Antony Papadopoulos saw a low drive shot blocked and it fell to George Fowler inside the box but couldn’t keep the shot down.
Shortly after half-time, the deadlock was broken when Osborne’s long throw found the head of Gale whose header was brilliantly saved by Andre Jr. James Clarke then followed up and was denied before eventually squeezing the ball past the Stones keeper to give the National League side the lead.
However, the spirits weren’t dampened as Reiss Greenidge nearly replied instantly with his scooped shot which looked to be heading for the top corner bar an important header off the line by Clarke. The game did open up but was limited to clear cut chances. Charlie Seaman’s long throw looked to make the Solihull back line a bit nervous in the closing stages as they struggled to clear their line. Substitute Arj Krasniqi eventually got the shot off but could only scuff it wide.
The tie was all but finished with 87 minutes on the clock when Stevens was brought down inside the box which allowed the front man to send Andre Jr the wrong way and kill any chance of a Stones revival.
Solihull then finished the game off in style with what was almost the last kick of the game when a good run from Michael Adu-Poku down the left allowed him to set it up for Conor Wilkinson who was able to take a touch and bury it from close range to add some gloss to the scoreline.
Solihull Moors: James Clarke 50’, Jack Stevens (pen) 87’, Conor Wilkinson 90+8’
Maidstone United:
Solihull Moors: 1. Laurie Walker, 2. James Clarke, 4. Jamey Osborne (C), 5. Alex Whitmore, 7. Jack Stevens (16. Olly Tipton 90+4 mins), 8. Sam Bowen, 10. Conor Wilkinson, 12. Marcel Oakley, 18. James Gale (14. Bradley Stevenson 81 mins), 23. Finn Howell (3. Joe Newton 69 mins), 28. Michael Ado-Poku. Subs not used: 13. Aaron Flahavan, 17. Joss Labadie, 15. John Bostock, 25. Kian Ryley, 6. Kyle Morrison, 29. Ackeme Francis.B.
Maidstone United: 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes (15. Harry Lodovica 78 mins), 4. Reiss Greenidge, 5. George Fowler, 8. Sam Corne (C), 9. Aaron Blair, 11. Charlie Seaman, 14. Tayt Trusty (18. Bivesh Gurung (86 mins), 19. Pierre Fonkeu (16. Matt Bentley 62 mins), 20. Antony Papadopoulos (12. Arj Krasniqi 78 mins). Subs not used: 6. Sam Smith, 10. Shaq Coulthirst, 13. Lenny Holden, 17. Riley Court.
