What a relief!
Had we lost to Barrow, Solihull Moors would have started the calendar year 13 points adrift of safety. Yet we dug in and thanks to goals from Darren Carter and Jamie Reckord, from the penalty spot, we secured the biggest three points of our season to date.
This challenge is still not over. Chester, Guiseley and Torquay United are all under relatively new management and there is still a huge amount of work to be done if we are to bridge the gap between ourselves and those near or above the 30-point mark. Saturday was a big step in the right direction.
Maidenhead United are the visitors to the Automated Technology Group Stadium on what promises to be a wet day. The quality of football on display will take secondary importance to the physical battle in store.
Another victory could see us move into 21st position and likely bridge the gap to six or seven points. All of a sudden, survival would seem a distinct possibility.
Vital Quotes:
Mark Yates was delighted with victory at Barrow:
It`s a tough place to come, they`re on a good run at the moment and they`re a massive threat at what they do.”
“For 99% of it, we did brilliantly. We defended brilliantly, we switched off from a set piece (a long throw) and it`s a great throw but they`ve stuck five/six/seven bodies in the box and we`re disappointed with that. To be fair to the players, they responded superbly and got totally what they deserved out of the game.
Solihull Moors Team News:
Jermaine Hylton is available again after completing his three-match suspension. Changes could be enforced with The Moors playing their fourth game in 10 days.
Player to watch: Darren Carter
It was great to see Darren Carter score his sixth goal of the season and get his side back on level terms against Barrow. He has an aura about him on the field that few possess in the National League.
Maidenhead United Team News:
With Maidenhead similarly playing four games in ten days, Alan Devonshire could make a couple of changes, particularly following defeat to AFC Fylde on Saturday.
Player to watch: Carl Petney
Carl Petney is a man in fine form. He pulled off some fine saves on Boxing Day and fans were again calling for him to be man of the match against AFC Fylde.
Match Facts & Stats
Solihull Moors – 24th
Overall record: Played 26; Won 5, Drawn 5, Lost 17; For 23, Against 44, GD -21; Points 20
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 1, Drawn 2, Lost 3; For 3, Against 9, GD -6; Points 5
Most starts: Darren Carter – 27
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 8
Worst discipline: Darren Carter – 5 yellow cards and 1 red card
Maidenhead United – 11th
Overall record: Played 26; Won 9, Drawn 10, Lost 8; For 36, Against 37, GD -1; Points 37
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 3, Lost 1; For 9, Against 9, GD 0; Points 9
Most starts: Alan Massey and Carl Petney – 27
Most goals: Adrian Clifton and Dave Tarpey – 7
Worst discipline: Ryan Upward – 3 yellow cards, 1 red card
Ref Watch:
Referee: Paul Marsden
Location: Lancashire
National League matches officiated 17/18: 9
Yellow cards produced: 34
Red cards produced: 3
Penalties awarded: 7
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Solihull Moors 1-1 Gateshead – 25/11/2017
Assistant referees: Matthew Smith and Martin Chester
Fourth official: James King
Match Prediction:
Solihull Moors 2-1 Maidenhead United
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ next six fixtures:
06.01.2018 – Macclesfield Town (A) – NAL
13.01.2018 – Gainsborough Trinity/Spennymoor Town (A) – FAT
20.01.2018 – Woking (H) – NAL
27.01.2018 – Dagenham and Redbridge (A) – NAL
03.02.2018 – Bromley (H) – NAL
10.02.2018 – Ebbsfleet United (A) – NAL