Two games, two wins, our top scorer has netted in both. This National League malarkey is easy, right?
The Moors have so far entered games fearlessly and have earned results. A comeback victory over an awkward Eastleigh side on their own turf was followed by a solid 1-0 victory over Maidenhead United in midweek that could have seen us score several more.
Tim Flowers will know that the odds remain against us but we have one of the strongest spines in the division. A well-drilled outfit that contains Ryan Boot, Liam Daly, Kyle Storer, Jamey Osborne, Darren Carter and Danny Wright. Adi Yussuf and Jermaine Hylton would be wanted by most sides in the division while Tyrone Williams has become a pillar of consistency since joining from Kidderminster Harriers.
Things are set to get tougher, however. Our next three games pit us against sides that all finished in the play-offs last season: Aldershot Town, AFC Fylde and Sutton United.
First up is Aldershot and their poor start to the season shouldn’t see them written off. After all, they played Barnet and Chesterfield, two of the divisions expected front-runners after relegation from League Two.
Aldershot have also had something of a hold over us since we won promotion to the National League, The Moors losing three out of four of our meetings and failing to register a goal in any of those games.
Saturday promises to be an intriguing encounter. A win for The Shots puts their season back on track. A win for The Moors shows we really mean business this season.
Team news
Solihull Moors will be without Jamie Reckord following the defender’s red card on Tuesday evening. With Alex Gudger also expected to miss out, Flowers will be forced to make further changes to his backline with Marshall Willock potentially in line for a first start in professional football.
Kwame Thomas remains a doubt but Jermaine Hylton’s stellar performance on Tuesday means the front three is unlikely to change. Nathan Vaughan has departed for Stratford Town.
Waddock made four changes in midweek but their 3-0 away defeat at Chesterfield means that further changes could be afoot.
Luke Howell and Marvin McCoy remain available but the likes of Dan Holman, Luke Wanadio and George Smith will hope to return to the side.
Opposition player to watch
Gary Waddock hasn’t been able to build a squad as strong as the one he started with last term but that doesn’t mean they will struggle. Waddock has proven over the last couple of years that he can get the most of talented starlets looking to make their way in the game and in Shamir Fenelon he has a player that has continued to make progress over the last couple of seasons. Big things are expected off the powerful forward this term.
Previous meeting:
Solihull Moors 0-0 Aldershot Town
This Good Friday fixture was played out in front of over 1500 fans as Solihull Moors took another step towards survival with a fully deserved point against fourth placed Aldershot Town. The Shots must have expected a good result going into the game but The Moors were made of sterner stuff and certainly had the better of the game. Jermaine Hylton had the best chance of the game but neither side could make the breakthrough. A win would have been nice but neither side could complain too much with a point apiece.
Referee watch
Referee: Declan Bourne
Bourne refereed in the National League for the first time ever when he took charge of Havant & Waterlooville’s home clash with Boreham Wood, dishing out three yellow cards in a goalless draw.
Last season he refereed in the National League North, taking charge of Kidderminster Harriers’ play-off defeat to Bradford Park Avenue before making the step into the National League.
Assistant referees: Paul Evans & Harry Moore
Fourth official: Jack Shephard
Match prediction
Solihull Moors 1-1 Aldershot Town
Solihull Moors’ next 5 fixtures (National League unless stated):
14.08.2018: AFC Fylde (A) – 19:45
18.08.2018: Sutton United (H) – 15:00
25.08.2018: Harrogate Town (A) – 15:00
27.08.2018: Wrexham (H) – 15:00
01.09.2018: Barrow (A) – 15:00
