Match Report -
Super Save Earns Solihull a Draw
By Iain Benson
Matty Barlow scored with Celtic's first effort in the match, quarter of an hour in after Mark Gardner had wasted three good opportunities for Moors, firing tamely at Paul Phillips twice and wide once. Celtic built up from the back with a dozen quick passes that culminated with Barlow firing off on the turn to hit a half volley into the top corner past a stationary Danny Crane, stunned into speechlessness for the only time in the game.

Connor Jennings and Steve Woods both went close, as did Briggs as Celtic looked to close the game out before half time, but were unable to do so during a period when Moors never troubled the cruising Celts.

Solihull came out all guns blazing in the second half, and Ross Dempster, the hero for the home side in their previous 1-0 win over Harrogate, almost scored with his first touch after coming on as a sub, curling his shot narrowly wide. However it was Barlow who looked to give Celtic a comfort zone as he brought down Joe O'Neill's through ball and slotted past Crane, only to be scythed down after the ball had crossed the line by Philip Midworth, not denying the goal, but denying Barlow any kind of celebration, Midworth would have been dismissed by any other referee, but not today.

Solihull took advantage of the leniency, and went straight down the other end, one touch passing carving Celtic open, and Tim Gould was on the end of it to slot past Phillips with Celtic looking statuesque.

Jennings had a great effort stopped by Crane as Celtic looked to regain their cushion, but instead, a free kick and a free header for Liam Daly put the two teams on terms. As the game went into the last ten minutes, Crane earned his team a point from the match when he somehow sprang ten feet to his left to deny Matty Barlow's point blank header and claw it away. A Briggs effort from the edge of the box was also well collected as stoppage time loomed, before Joe O'Neill could have sealed the game with a free header in the six yard box that he put over the bar.

In the end, Celtic did enough to win the game, but a piece of brilliance from the keeper and a sloppy piece of defending, mean Celtic continue to look for their second win of the campaign.

1Crane, Danny  
2Midworth, Phil  
3Stapleton, Darren  
4Streete, Theo  
5Daly, Liam  
6Gould, Tim  
7English, Junior  
8Downes, Lee  
9Brown, Junior  > 69
10Lea, Dean  > 21
11Gardner, Mark  > 49
12Dempster, Ross  < 49
14Price, Alex  
15Foulds, Peter  < 21
16Pugh, James  < 69
17Davies, Charlton