U21s report: Solihull v United

Confirming our elimination from the competition, Travis Binnion's side did take the lead through Bendito Mantato, as he smashed home the game's opening goal.

But two strikes late in the first half from Emmanuel Sonupe and Darius Lipsiuc quickly flipped the scoreline on its head at the ARMCO Arena.

Bradley Stevenson then added a third for the National League outfit, before Sam Bowen scored late on to put the game beyond us.

FIRST HALF

Called into action at Academy level, Ayden Heaven produced a wonderful goal line clearance with the game only four minutes old, as the United defender denied Joe Sbarra with what looked to be a certain goal.

Tyler French was the next to try his luck for the hosts, with his free-kick just flashing wide of Will Murdock's near post.

Our young goalkeeper was called into action shortly after too, when he prevented captain Alex Whitemore's header, diving down well to thwart the opportunity and a subsequent follow up.

Heaven was at it again as he aggressively won the ball back from Lipsiuc with a meaty challenge that again drew plaudits from our travelling supporters. 

James Scanlon had a huge opportunity to score as the first half continued, but despite baring down on goal one-on-one, Solihull keeper Laurie Walker stood tall to deny him.

The Reds took the lead as the clock ticked into 35 minutes, with Jack Fletcher picking out Mantato with a brilliant low pass to split open the hosts' defence.

Mantato raced through and showed great strength and skill to create the opportunity, before neatly applying the finishing touch to open the scoring in the West Midlands.

Our lead lasted a mere seven minutes as Sonupe broke the offside trap to race through on goal, before the 29-year-old kept his cool to also apply a vital finish.

Just two minutes later, Chris Millington's side added another as J.Fletcher had his pocket picked in midfield, with Oliver Tipton teeing up Lipsiuc to tap home at the back post.

SECOND HALF

Sonupe was at it again as the second half began, blasting over after Solihull had again snatched back possession from Dan Armer on this occasion.

Tipton was involved again as he teed up Stevenson for the Moors third of the evening just before the hour mark, with his low cross converted by the former Welling forward.

Murdock was proving the busier of the two goalkeepers as he denied Sbarra, before the Reds should have been handed what looked to be a certain penalty.

Mantato burst into the box with a driving run forward, before going to ground under Cameron Green's challenge. The referee and linesmen both were in great positions but opted not to award United a spot-kick.

Jim Thwaites looked threatening following his introduction, only for the midfielder to produce a low cross that evaded everyone as we looked for another goal to potentially kickstart a late comeback.

But our hopes were dashed soon after as once more a loose ball in midfield was seized upon, leaving Bowen the chance to race through and make it four with just a few minutes remaining

His shot did take a huge deflection off of Armer before wrong-footing Murdock, with the game sealed there and then.

Thwaites' late free-kick required action from Walker in the Moors goal, but shortly after, the referee called time.

Our Under-21s defeat means we are now out of the National League Cup, with their now just a rearranged clash with Tamworth left to play on December 16 (19:45 GMT).

MATCH DETAILS

United: Murdock; Fitzgerald (Thwaites, 59), Armer, Heaven (Overy, 66) Leon; Devaney, T.Fletcher, J.Fletcher; Mantato, Biancheri, Scanlon.

Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes, Kukonki, McAllister, Ibragimov.

Goals: Mantato 35.