Solihull Moors 2 Vs Coventry & District Walking Football 1 (13.05.26)

Solihull Moors Walking Football Club etched their names into club history after defeating Coventry & District Walking Football Club 2-1 in the BCWFL Over 65s Cup Final at Coleshill Town Football Club, completing an unprecedented league and cup double for the third consecutive season.

With changing conditions throughout the afternoon — sunshine, heavy rain and swirling wind — the final proved to be a true test of concentration and composure for both sides.

The opening half was a tense and cagey affair, with neither team able to fully settle into their passing rhythm. Space was at a premium, and both teams struggled to gain control in midfield. Solihull Moors forward Brendan Mulcahy came closest to breaking the deadlock on two occasions. One effort spun off a defender and agonisingly brushed the post, while another effort drifted inches wide after beating the goalkeeper.

At the other end, goalkeeper Bob Parry was called into action, producing a tremendous reflex save after a defensive mix-up threatened to hand Coventry an unexpected opener.

The second half, however, saw a completely different Solihull Moors side emerge. Passing became sharper, movement more fluid and the game began to open up. The breakthrough finally arrived when Graham Liddiard calmly finished after a slick Moors passing move. Moments later, Liddiard struck again, giving Moors a commanding 2-0 advantage and putting one hand firmly on the trophy.

Liddiard almost completed a memorable hat-trick, but two further efforts drifted narrowly wide of the target. Brendan Mulcahy also came inches away from adding a third goal when a thunderous strike crashed against the crossbar midway through the half.

As the pressure mounted, Coventry & District began to struggle with the pace and movement of the Moors attack. Fouls and running offences increased, resulting in two Coventry players receiving Blue Cards after repeated infringements.

Despite leading comfortably, Solihull Moors still had work to do in the closing stages. Coventry pushed forward desperately in the final minutes, and Bob Parry produced two outstanding saves to preserve the lead. Unfortunately for the Moors goalkeeper, one save rebounded kindly for a Coventry player to tuck home and make the score 2-1, setting up a nervy finish.

However, Solihull Moors showed all the experience and resilience of champions to see out the remaining minutes and secure yet another piece of silverware.

The victory capped off a remarkable era for the Over 65s side, who have now completed an extraordinary league and cup double for three successive seasons — a truly historic achievement for the club.