What an eventful season this has been.
From the newly promoted side winning on the opening day to a run of four straight defeats that brought the boys back down to Earth. From the despair of knowing Marcus Bignot was on his way to making it to the FA Cup second round for the first time in our history. From looking at the possibility of a top half finish to victory over Macclesfield Town giving us a fighting chance of survival.
It’s been a hell of a season, one in which Moors have fought on the field and expanded off it. One in which players have grown into their new roles as employees of a National League club, a manager has grown into the position of a National League manager and the fans have adapted to being part of a league that features clubs such as Tranmere Rovers, Barrow and Lincoln City.
Now we have one home match left and as has been the case in recent weeks, the boys need our support. One final home game. Lift yourselves off the setee and make your way to Automated Technology Group Stadium to support the boys in the fight for survival. If you’re Villa or Blues you have every chance of making it and it’s only a tenner if you’re a season ticket holder. Everybody matters.
Get behind the boys in our final home match of the 2016/17 campaign. Come on you Moors!!
Vital Quotes:
Liam McDonald talks up his players & the fans:
‘I was so proud of all the players over the Bank Holiday. They have been 100% behind me on this steep learning curve. It has not been easy but we are all better for the experience.
I have said before that the difference it makes to us when we know the crowd is willing us on can increase performance by perhaps 15%. It goes a long way to reducing the gap between us and full time squads. So please let’s hear you just as loud on Saturday when Eastleigh visit the ATG Stadium.
We start our Eastleigh preparations now. We have had them watched and I will be studying videos of their last three away matches so that we can get the set up and tactics right on Saturday and hopefully seal our place in the National League for another season.’
Solihull Moors Team News:
Liam McDonald will have a tough decision to make as he weighs up which starting XI to go with on Saturday. Nortei Nortey, Andy Brown and Regan Charles-Cook all made an impact from the bench and are pushing for starts. Liam Daly, Shepherd Murombedzi and Calum Flanagan remain out.
Player to watch: Jack Byrne
Moors needed a player to step up and in Jack Byrne they had it. The former Kidderminster Harriers midfielder has often been the tempo setter, the midfield tough man and he has a funny habit of stepping up when required, even refusing to allow two missed opportunities to affect him before scoring a header. Captain for the rest of the campaign, Byrne will lead by example.
Eastleigh Team News:
Caretaker manager Richard Hill has confirmed he will take the game seriously despite the club mathematically being safe. His major decision is whether defender Paul Reid starts after breaking his nose on Monday.
Player to watch: Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson will have no doubt been overjoyed at joining promotion favourites Eastleigh in the summer but a difficult campaign for the club has mirrored the 24 year-old’s debut campaign in the National League. He started and scored on Monday and will fancy his chances of doing so again.
Match Facts & Stats
SOLIHULL MOORS – 18th
Overall: Played 44; Won 14, Drawn 9, Lost 21; For 59, Against 74, GD -15; Points 51
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 5; For 6, Against 13, GD -7; Points 1
Most starts: Liam Daly – 39
Most goals: Akwasi Asante – 11
Worst discipline: Jack Byrne – 7 yellow cards, 1 red card
Eastleigh – 12th
Overall: Played 44; Won 14, Drawn 14, Lost 16; For 55, Against 60, GD -5; Points 56
Last six away: Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 4; For 6, Against 14, GD -8; Points 6
Most starts: Mike Green – 37
Most goals: Mikael Mandron – 10
Worst discipline: Reda Johnson – 9 yellow cards, 1 red card
Ref Watch:
Referee: Karl Evans
Location: Lancashire
Matches officiated in National League: 19
Yellow cards produced: 72
Red cards produced: 3
Penalties awarded: 4
Last game in charge of Solihull Moors: N/A
Referee’s assistants: Abbas Khan and Paul Evans
Fourth official: James Turner
Match Prediction:
Solihull Moors 2-1 Eastleigh
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ remaining fixture:
29.04.2017 – Guiseley (A) – 12:15pm
