Liam McDonald will be hoping the midweek comeback at home to Barrow can just the confidence-boost his team need.
Despite conceding a late penalty, and victory, Moors made the most of a one-man advantage to turn a two-goal deficit into a positive result and earn the National League’s only Midlands outfit a first point of the new campaign.
Yet scoring three against ten men also means the cracks may have been papered over somewhat. In the opening three matches of the season McDonald’s side have conceded ten goals with poor positional play proving as costly as individual errors.
This weekend offers a chance to prove that we ought to take the positives from Tuesday night against newly-promoted FC Halifax Town – the only side in the top five tiers to have been born after Solihull Moors.
The last meeting between the two clubs came as The Shaymen were flying from the bottom to the top of the National League, taking four points off the Moors during their promotion-winning campaign under current Gateshead boss Neil Aspin.
Billy Heath resides as manager these days and like McDonald, he will know the early importance of this fixture. Two potential relegation candidates meeting one another hoping to get a first win of the campaign.
This could be a cracker.
Vital Quotes:
Solihull Moors boss Liam McDonald discusses injury and being men ahead of Saturday’s clash:
“We’ve got bodies to come back and make us even stronger. Jermaine (Hylton), Simeon (Maye) and Kristian (Green) will be back on Saturday. Ash (Sammons) and Calum (Flanagan) are two or three weeks away so we’re getting important players back. We`ll have a good session on Thursday and prepare for Halifax who will throw everything at us.
“We’re going to have to be men and stand up because first-half it was boys vs men. Second-half we were men and I’m proud of them for that. I know it’s a new experience for them all but they’ll be pleased tomorrow morning when they get up for work.”
Solihull Moors Team News:
As seen above, Liam McDonald could give Simeon Maye, Kristian Green and Jermaine Hylton first games of the season. Oladapo Afolayan and Luke Benbow had an impact on Tuesday and will hope to return to the side.
Player to watch: Darren Carter
You want your captain to stand up and be counted so when Darren Carter burst through to make it 3-2, the whole crowd were understandably delighted. Halifax will provide tough opposition and his calming influence will be key.
FC Halifax Town Team News:
Halifax are without a few bodies for their visit to the ATG, Michael Duckworth, Nathan Hotte and Martin Riley amongst them. Cliff Moyo and Matty Kosylo will face late fitness tests.
Player to watch: Tyler Denton
After 39 goals in two seasons under his stewardship at North Ferriby United, Billy Heath knew the quality of player he was taking to his new club. Tyler Denton scored 17 as Halifax reached the play-offs and netted his, and the club’s, first goal of the season on Tuesday.
Match Facts & Stats
SOLIHULL MOORS – 23rd
Overall record: Played 3; Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 2; For 5, Against 10, GD -5; Points 1
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 2
Worst discipline: Jack Edwards – 2 yellow cards
FC Halifax Town – 20th
Overall record: Played 4; Won 0, Drawn 2, Lost 2; For 1, Against 4, GD -3; Points 2
Most goals: Tyler Denton – 1
Worst discipline: Nathan Hotte, Matty Kosylo – 2 yellow cards
Ref Watch:
Referee: Joe Hull
Location: Cheshire
National League matches officiated 17/18: 1
Yellow cards produced: 2
Red cards produced: 0
Penalties awarded: 0
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Solihull Moors 2-1 Bradford Park Avenue – 02/04/2016
Assistant referees: Paul Evans and Ollie Williams
Fourth official: Gareth Hubbard
Match Prediction:
SOLIHULL MOORS 2-1 FC Halifax Town
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ Next Six Fixtures:
26/08/2017 – Torquay United (A) – 15:00
28/08/2017 – Tranmere Rovers (H) – 15:00
02/09/2017 – Aldershot Town (A) – 15:00
05/09/2017 – Chester (H) – 19:45
09/09/2017 – Macclesfield Town (H) – 15:00
12/09/2017 – Woking (A) – 19:45
