Solihull Moors don’t really go to well with Tranmere Rovers.
We have met three times since promotion to the National League. No goals scored, 14 goals conceded including a National League record-equalling defeat.
That defeat came during Tranmere’s slow start to the season – just three victories from 13 matches. Since beating Bromley on the final weekend of September, Tranmere have won 6 of their last 11 matches and are moving slowly up the table, hoping to put together another late run towards the promotion places.
While Rovers have kept faith with Micky Mellon, Solihull Moors now have Mark Yates in charge and his early weeks in charge have been a positive in an otherwise awful campaign for the club.
One win, two draws and two defeats from five matches doesn’t sound too great on paper but it is evident that Yates is getting somewhere with this group of players and his signings have so far been positive. We have yet to concede more than one goal in a match under his tutelage.
The FA Trophy didn’t breed confidence last season with a shock 2-1 defeat to 7th tier Matlock Town. Hopefully the boys can put that right this year and spring a surprise of their own.
Update: Following Saturday’s postponement, the game is to played at 7:45pm on Monday. Up the Moors!
Vital Quotes:
Solihull Moors Team News:
Jamie Reckord will hope for a full debut after his first start was cut short. Darren Carter is suspended. Courtney Richards’ loan has finished.
Player to watch: Jermaine Hylton
Jermaine Hylton has been in and out for much of the season yet has started the last three matches and looks sharp. A few more goals to match the raw qualities we have seen from him would cement his place as a fan favourite.
Tranmere Rovers Team News:
Tranmere Rovers could welcome back a whole host of players. Jay Harris and Jeff Hughes could make returns to the starting XI after injury while Liam Ridehalgh, Larnell Cole and Jack Dunn have returned to training. Jake Kirby played in the recent Senior Cup fixture though Ben Tollitt and James Wallace are out.
Player to watch: Andy Cook
He may have struggled early on but with four goals in his last three matches, it is fair to say that Andy Cook is in form and on his way to matching the 20+ goals scored in each of his last three campaigns.
Match Facts & Stats
Solihull Moors – 24th
Last season in the FA Trophy: First round proper: Solihull Moors 1-2 Matlock Town
Most starts: Darren Carter – 24
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 8
Worst discipline: Darren Carter – 5 yellow cards and 1 red card
Tranmere Rovers – 9th
Last season in the FA Trophy: Semi-finals: Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Macclesfield (over two legs)
Most starts: Scott Davies – 23
Most goals: Andy Cook and James Norwood – 8
Worst discipline: Steve McNulty – 4 yellow cards and 1 red card
Ref Watch:
Referee: Christopher O’Donnell
Location: Bedfordshire
National League matches officiated 17/18: 8
Yellow cards produced: 41
Red cards produced: 2
Penalties awarded: 2
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Solihull Moors 2-4 Barrow – 25/03/2017
Assistant referees: Robin Cox and Andrew Humphries
Fourth official: Mark Howes
Match Prediction:
Solihull Moors 1-1 Tranmere Rovers
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ next six fixtures:
23.12.2017 – Boreham Wood (H) – NL
26.12.2017 – Maidenhead United (A) – NL
30.12.2017 – Barrow (A) – NL
01.01.2018 – Maidenhead United (H) – NL
06.01.2018 – Macclesfield Town (A) – NL
20.01.2018 – Woking (H) – NL
