Well, that was a fun day. Solihull Moors 3 Lowestoft 3 in the Conference North.
It was not just the football that was good. The company was even better, three former directors of Bristol Rovers and a former chair of the Supporters Club. It is hard to believe that the club can be better without them but that’s the way life is.
Conference North is a good standard of football, at least in the first half and in centre forward Omar Bogle, Solihull had the game’s standout player. His game is raw and he is more Junior Agogo than Jason Roberts and it was only when he didn’t appear for the second half that we realised the influence he had been having.
Solihull raced into a two goal lead and when the keeper brought down Bogle and was sent off, the striker struck home the penalty. 3-0 and game over. Lowestoft grabbed a consolation goal before the break but with 10 men, they would surely get buried in the second half. But Bogle took away Solihull’s attacking momentum. His running lines are often poor and his decision making erratic but a good coach would surely turn him into a player. And so it came to pass that Lowestoft drew back to 3-3 and impossibly could have won.
What a pleasure to be at a club with no egos. Incredibly friendly, good hospitality; a really nice set up. Two teams who came to play – perfect really.
But Omar Bogle: watch for the name. He’s better than Conference South and almost certainly the Conference itself and if he leaves Omar should be looking at League Two at least. His next move will be the most vital of his career and if he is to improve, a move into League football is critical.
Thanks for having us, Solihull. We’ll be back.
