In November 2016, the travelling Solihull Moors contingent at Huish Park knew they were about to say goodbye to a club legend.
Marcus Bignot had taken us from the depths of the National League North to a thriving club with endless possibilities as we faced Yeovil Town in the FA Cup First Round Proper. Grimsby Town were calling but the players put together to produce one last almighty performance for their gaffer before his inevitable departure.
Fast forward to this bonfire weekend and a hell of a lot has changed from the glorious Saturday afternoon. For starters, only 2 players remain from the 17 that travelled to the West Country that day – Liam Daly and Shepherd Murombedzi.
We have since employed Liam McDonald and Richard Money as managers, signed enough players to make Barry Fry wince and sit bottom of the National League table with our hearts being broken for an entirely different reason.
Yet today is one of those days where we can put aside the misery of our league campaign as we welcome League Two Wycombe Wanderers to the ATG.
I like Wycombe. They’re a classy, old-school kind of club with a rock-loving manager a dressing room featuring talented youngsters alongside some golden oldies in the form of Matt Bloomfield, Adam El-Abd, Craig Mackail-Smith and everybody’s favourite lower division footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Today probably won’t be a pretty game by any stretch. There will be plenty of long balls thrust forward, players spending most of the 90 minutes sprinting round making challenges in a congested middle of the park and some powerful battles. Even if Wycombe rest players, it is likely they will remain a side full of endeavour.
We may have an entire new set of footballers at the club but each of them has the chance to become certified club legends today.
COME ON YOU MOORS!
Vital Quotes:
Vital Solihull Moors discuss the immediate future at the club:
‘Gary Whild takes charge this weekend and has a better squad at his disposal than the one that began the campaign. Jermaine Hylton and Akwasi Asante have had a few games under their belts, Ashley Sammons’ return is a boost and we even caught a glimpse of youngster Romario Martin last weekend.
There are a lot of key decisions that need to be made at board level to give us the best possible chance of survival in the National League this season.
In the meantime, let’s enjoy Sunday and hope we can pull off another famous FA Cup shock.’
Solihull Moors Team News:
Gary Whild will be without Nick Townsend and James Bowen with the duo cup-tied. Charlie Bannister is likely to start in goal with Chris Camwell set for a recall at left-back. Sean St.Ledger could make his debut. Luke Benbow has returned to Stourbridge for a month.
Player to watch: Oladapo Afoloyan
I’ll break the usual cycle by giving
Wycombe Wanderers Team News:
Wycombe could bring centre-backs Dan Scarr and Anthony Stewart back into the fold following injury. Sido Jombati is close to a return but Michael Harriman, Nathan Tyson, Scott Kashket and Josh Umerah are sidelined.
Player to watch: Adebayo Akinfenwa
I was going to try and avoid the obvious but with 9 goals from 14 games this season, Adebayo Akinfenwa really is the man to stop for Wycombe.
Match Facts & Stats
SOLIHULL MOORS -24th
Overall record: Played 17; Won 3, Drawn 2, Lost 13; For 18, Against 36, GD -18; Points 11
Last six at home Played 6; Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 4; For 6, Against 12, GD -6; Points 4
Most starts: Darren Carter – 18
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 8
Worst discipline: Shepherd Murombedzi – 5 yellow cards
Last year’s FA Cup run:
4th Qualifying Round: Solihull Moors 3-1 Kettering Town
First Round: Yeovil Town 2-2 Solihull Moors
First Round Replay: Solihull Moors 1-1 Yeovil Town (4-2 penalties)
Second Round: Luton Town 6-2 Solihull Moors
Wycombe Wanderers – 7th (League Two)
Overall record: Played 16; Won 7, Drawn 6, Lost 3; For 31, Against 25, GD +6; Points 27
Last six away Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 3, Lost 1; For 8, Against 6, GD +2; Points 9
Most starts: Scott Brown and Joe Jacobsen – 16
Most goals: Adebayo Akinfenwa – 9
Worst discipline: Marcus Bean – 6 yellow cards
Last year’s FA Cup run:
First Round: Portsmouth 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers
Second Round: Chesterfield 0-5 Wycombe Wanderers
Third Round: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Stourbridge
Fourth Round: Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Wycombe Wanderers
Ref Watch:
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Location: Devon
Matches officiated 17/18: 15
Yellow cards produced: 49
Red cards produced: 1
Penalties awarded: 2
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: N/A
Assistant referees: David Benton and Ian Smedley
Fourth official: Simon Barrow
Match Prediction:
Solihull Moors 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ next six fixtures:
11/11/2017 – Sutton United (H) – NL
14/11/2017 – Hednesford Town (H) – BSC
18/11/2017 – Maidstone United (A) – NL
21/11/2017 – Wrexham (A) – NL
25/11/2017 – Gateshead (H) – NL
02/12/2017 – Leyton Orient (H) – NL
