Solihull Moors took a significant step towards confirming their play-off place with a 3-2 victory away to Gateshead, but what did we learn from the match itself?
Ben Worman gave Gateshead the lead inside four minutes and it appeared that Andy Whing’s side were in for a difficult evening in the North East. However, within 20 minutes of falling behind, Tahvon Campbell grabbed his fourth goal for the Moors to draw them on level terms.
Solihull’s Jack Stevens continued his outstanding run of form with two more goals before the hour-mark to put Andy Whing’s side 3-1 ahead.
Gateshead substitute Dajaune Brown grabbed an 86th-minute goal to give Rob Elliott’s side a fighting chance but they couldn’t find the all-important equaliser.
With that being said, let’s take a look at five things we learnt from Tuesday’s National League clash…
James Clarke – the unsung hero
When you look at matches, the majority of fans will focus on the goalscorers or the creators, but when you dive into analysis you’ll occasionally discover players that played a significant role that weren’t mentioned in initial reports and this is the case for Solihull’s James Clarke.
The defender had a goal disallowed with a controversial offside decision, whilst also producing two goal-line clearances to deny Gateshead points. This is the eighth time this season that Clarke has made goal-saving interceptions for Solihull Moors and if it wasn’t for him, the scoreline would have been different.
The bad form continues
With the National League table being extremely tight in the battle to reach the play-off places, the one thing you don’t want is for your side to hit a bad run of form at the business end of the season but unfortunately, this is currently occurring for Gateshead.
Rob Elliott’s side have taken just one point from their last three league games, which has seen them slip to nine points behind the top three, which has now put further pressure on Saturday’s FA Trophy match against Peterborough Sports.
The Stevens & Campbell show
Admittedly, Solihull Moors as a whole has seen a major boost since Josh Kelly left for AFC Wimbledon in January, with the additions of Tyrese Shade and Tahvon Campbell proving that if you spend money strategically, it can have major positive impacts on the club.
However, Campbell has averaged a goal contribution every game since his permanent switch from Rochdale, whilst Jack Stevens has stepped up in the absence of Kelly to also average a goal contribution every game since Kelly’s departure on February 1st.
The duo alongside the likes of Shade, Jamey Osborne and Joe Sbarra have developed an excellent partnership which could play a major role in Solihull’s quest for promotion.
More frustration for Rob Elliott
From a Gateshead perspective, taking just one point from three matches is a cause for concern but the performances as a whole are more frustrating rather than disappointing.
In Tuesday’s match against Solihull Moors, Gateshead had two efforts cleared off the line as well as being denied by Nick Hayes on a couple of occasions. This proves that the club’s attackers are getting chances and placing themselves in the right areas, but they aren’t being converted consistently.
The performances the club have been putting in are certainly good enough to claim a top-seven finish, but goals win football matches and taking chances is something that the club have struggled to do in the last three games.
All eyes move to the FA Trophy
This weekend will see both Solihull Moors and Gateshead compete in the Quarter-Finals of the FA Trophy, with a place at Wembley Stadium creeping ever closer.
Gateshead need to use the motivation from their 3-2 loss to overcome sixth-tier side Peterborough Sports, whilst Solihull Moors travel to fellow National League side Wealdstone, hoping to continue their improved form.
Solihull Moors will stay fourth this weekend without kicking a ball unless Oldham Athletic beats Aldershot Town in a crucial play-off battle. Meanwhile, Gateshead could drop out of the play-offs if Aldershot Town get a point against Oldham Athletic and Altrincham beat relegation-threatened Woking, although Rob Elliott’s side have at least one game in-hand on the majority of sides around them, including Solihull Moors.