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Flowers happy overall with Evesham win

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Image for Flowers happy overall with Evesham win

Solihull Moors manager Tim Flowers spoke of his happiness with the result and with his side keeping another clean sheet, as the Moors made it two wins from two in pre-season with a 5-0 win at Evesham United.

Goals from Jermaine Hylton, Jamey Osborne, Kwame Thomas, Reiss McNally and Callum Coyle gave the Moors the comprehensive win.

However, despite the win, Flowers felt his side could’ve been more effective with their progress after the Tamworth win in midweek:

“I thought it was a typical pre-season friendly to be honest with you,” Flowers told the club’s official website.

“It was a baking hot day on a decent pitch that was dry and sticky.

“I thought the things we talked about trying to do before the game, just to progress from the Tamworth game, we didn’t do effectively. Particularly in the first half when we were trying to look for some territory to get the ball up their end to play some football. We didn’t do that.

“However, I’ve got no qualms about the work rate and the effort. We worked really hard yesterday for two hours on a rock-hard pitch and some of that was physical so there’s a lot of tired men out there right now. The plan obviously is to not be tired coming in to that final week before Eastleigh.

“They’re feeling leggy – they will feel even more leggy tomorrow but that’s part of the plan. I’m happy for them to play tired. I’m happy with the result, I’m happy with not conceding a goal but as I said after the Tamworth game, we’ve still got plenty to do in terms of our pattern and how we want to play.

“I said to the boys before the Tamworth game – these first games are more fitness exercises and as we go on, they will become more tactical , but I’m really pleased with the hard yards they’ve put in.”

Solihull Moors will be stepping up their opposition as part of the preparations for the new season, as they take on Birmingham City’s Under-23s and League One side Burton Albion in their final two pre-season fixtures and Flowers is very conscious of the step up in opposition.

“Obviously we’re moving up in class playing against Football League sides who will be a big threat and if we’re not right defensively and our distances aren’t right then we’ll find it a very long 90 minutes.

“Last season we were big, strong, physical and with a certain style of play which we will stick to in the most part, so we hope to cause problems of our own as well.

“The message is now to start progressing our game plan a little bit and get something out of it that way.

“But all in all, I’ve been really happy with the boys in the two weeks they’ve been back now – they’ve worked very, very hard and I think coming into that final week when we come off they should look fresh and fit.”

The squad against Evesham United was once again a mix of first-team players, trialists and a few prospects from the Moors Academy squad, including some of the Moors’ new signings.

“There were a couple of lads who’ve played but they’ve been training with us all the while. Some have asked if they can just keep fit but some we’re having a look at.”

There have also been one of two injuries in the squad, with new signing Danny Wright missing the Evesham game with a knock, while another new signing, Alex Gudger, was brought off due to a minor groin issue.

“Alex Gudger  has been feeling a groin strain since the Tamworth game, so it was just a precaution fetching him off otherwise I would have left him on a bit longer.

“Danny has had a really tight pelvic area that’s making his groin tight. He missed training Friday but has worked really hard with the physio  – he did a lot of core stuff.

“He’s been having treatment and says he feels a lot better – he will be fit to train on Monday and available for the Birmingham game – there’s absolutely no point risking him at this stage.”

“George Carline is filling in at left-back for the time being but hopefully we can get someone in before the Birmingham game if we can.

 Luke Maxwell got 90 minutes in – he’s not allowed to play against Birmingham. Darren Carter didn’t play on Saturday but he will play against Birmingham.

“They’ve all done really well. They’ve worked hard and they’re all aware of how we want to play and what we need to do to improve.”

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