Solihull Moors succumbed to a narrow defeat at the ARMCO Arena, Southend United edging a closely contested match in this National League encounter. Andy Dallas proved the difference, netting a brace to secure the points for the Shrimpers.
The visitors made a lightning start, Dallas finding the net early to put Southend ahead in the 5th minute. Solihull struggled to find their rhythm in the face of Southend’s early pressure, and Louis Jackson received a yellow card in the 19th minute for a foul, highlighting the Moors’ frustration.
The second half saw a revitalised Solihull side emerge. Their efforts paid off in the 53rd minute when Dan Creaney equalised, assisted by Szhem Whyte-Hall. The goal injected fresh impetus into the home side’s play.
However, Southend responded decisively. Substitute Slavi Spasov, who had come on in the 62nd minute for Charley Kendall, provided the assist for Dallas to score his second in the 72nd minute, restoring Southend’s lead.
Solihull attempted to respond with a double substitution in the 69th minute, bringing on Darius Lipsiuc for Louis Jackson in a tactical switch. They followed this with another substitution in the 74th minute, replacing assist provider Szhem Whyte-Hall with Callum McFarlane. Southend also made changes, bringing on Keenan Appiah-Forson and Cavanagh Miley in the 80th minute for Oliver Coker and Sam Austin, respectively, to solidify their midfield.
As the clock ticked down, Solihull’s Darius Lipsiuc received a yellow card in the 83rd minute for a foul, further compounding their difficulties. In a final roll of the dice, Solihull introduced Emmanuel Sonupe for Ben Worman in the 83rd minute, but Southend remained resolute. The visitors also brought on Tom Hopper for Andy Dallas in the 87th minute.
With this victory, Southend United climb to the top of the National League standings, now holding 14 points from six games. Solihull Moors, on the other hand, remain in 21st place with three points, still searching for their first win of the season.