Hartlepool United suffered back-to-back home defeats for the first time since December 2022 as Solihull Moors ran out 2-0 winners at the Suit Direct Stadium. First half goals from Joe Newton and Callum Maycock proved to be the difference maker between the two promotion hopefuls.
John Askey made two changes from the side that won at Dagenham. Sunderland loanee Zac Johnson made his debut, coming in for the injured Alex Lacey, while Tom Crawford returned to the starting 11 after completing his one-game suspension, replacing Kieran Wallace.
The visitors have enjoyed a strong start to the season, going eleven games unbeaten, and they took an early lead. Mark Beck’s clever flick took him past Manny Onariase; he fed Jamey Osborne who played in the unmarked Joe Newton to fire his side in front.
Solihull were firmly in the ascendancy and some incisive play offered the Moors the opportunity to double their lead four minutes later, Matty Warburton shot wide from just inside the box. Osborne was next to try his luck. After being given time and space to charge forward from midfield, the visiting captain’s deflected effort was caught by Pete Jameson.
Ex-Pools midfielder Gus Mafuta has previously been a thorn in the side at the Suit Direct Stadium for Boreham Wood, and he threatened to haunt his former employers again. On this occasion, he scuffed his shot wide of Jameson’s goal.
The wind was firmly in Solihull sails and they doubled their lead in the 36th minute. Joe Newton turned provider as his inviting cross by was finished from close range by Callum Maycock.
The interval offered Pools a chance to reset and they looked livelier in the opening stages of the second half. Some good interplay between David Ferguson and Mani Dieseruvwe provided Josh Umerah with a shot at the edge of the box but he was unable to make a clean connection.
Dieseruvwe went agonisingly close to pulling Pools one back in the 52nd minute. Ferguson’s corner was met by the striker but his goalbound header was tipped away by Moors keeper Tommy Simkin. Oli Finney also a struck a volley not far wide while in search of a route back into the game.
Solihull were still asking questions of the Pools defence on the break. Josh Kelly hit an effort from a tight angle that required a stop by Jameson. Josh Kelly later delivered a cross into the penalty area for Beck but the imposing forward’s header flashed narrowly past the post.
Pools had some late chances as they applied pressure on the Solihull defence. Finney headed onto the roof of the net after some pinball in the box, Charlie Seaman’s effort inside the box sailed harmlessly over the bar and substitute Osazee Aghatise forced Tommy Simkin into making a save. John Askey’s side will aim to bounce back when they host Dorking Wanderers at the Suit Direct Stadium on Saturday.
Pools: Jameson, Seaman, Hendrie, Onariase, Johnson, Ferguson, Crawford (Dolan 71), Finney, Grey (Aghatise 71), Umerah (Wreh 81), Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Dixon, Burton
Attendance: 3,517 (15 away)