14 days, five matches, six points and at the end of it, a six-day break that the players will have been overjoyed with leading into two exciting fixtures against Aldershot Town and Tranmere Rovers.
It`s been an interesting run. Our best performances came against Sutton United and Gateshead in which we lost the first and conceded a 93rd minute equaliser in the second. Victory from Bromley was huge but was sandwiched in between two less than impressive displays against Torquay United and Halifax Town.
We are unbeaten in four coming into our Good Friday fixture with Aldershot Town. We have had numerous chances to exit the bottom four in that time but have come up short at every opportunity, something that has proven hugely frustrating.
What has been difficult to tell over the last three games is whether tiredness has simply crept in to our performances physically and mentally or whether the players are beginning to feel the reality of the situation – one win could take us out of the bottom four and on the right path to survival.
It makes the next two fixtures more interesting. Aldershot Town and Tranmere Rovers are effectively free hits on paper before we play Hartlepool United, Maidstone United, Guiseley, AFC Fylde and Eastleigh.
Our record against the two clubs is dire. In six league matches we have not scored, conceded 18 goals and not picked up a single point. If ever there was a time to turn that statistic on its head, it`s now.
We remain unbeaten at home and that leads us into the game with Aldershot Town in a positive frame of mind. Their consistency has been most impressive over the last 18 months but as Darren Carter says – we have our own job to do.
The aim is three points, right Darren?
Vital Quotes:
Captain Darren Carter says The Moors are only concentrating on themselves:
Our aim is 3 points, we are fighting for our survival and if we can banish some ghosts along the way then that will be very welcome.
Our focus is solely on ourselves, other results obviously impact us but we have our own job to do. If we can perform to the standards we know we can then that shouldn`t matter as we will collect enough points to stay in this division.
Solihull Moors Team News:
Kyle Storer and Jamey Osborne could return to the Solihull Moors starting XI after missing last Saturday`s trip to Halifax Town. Yates has a decision to make in attack with Jermaine Hylton and Alex Reid chomping at the bit.
Player to watch: Omari Sterling-James
As far as game-changers go, there are unlikely to be too many better than Omari Sterling-James. He was quiet last Saturday but the more games he plays, the more pivotal he will become to our National League survival.
Aldershot Town Team News:
Jim Kellerman and Fabien Robert are doubts for the game while Nick Arnold, who was superb in the same fixture last season, remains out with a long-term knee injury. Otherwise, Waddock has everybody available.
Player to watch: Shamir Fenelon
With two goals in three games against Solihull Moors, Shamir Fenelon is the player for Moors to watch. He`s also Aldershot`s top scorer this season with 11 goals in 29 matches.
Match Facts & Stats
Solihull Moors – 21st
Overall record: Played 39; Won 10, Drawn 10, Lost 19; For 40, Against 53, GD -13; Points 40
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 4, Drawn 2, Lost 0; For 12, Against 4, GD 8; Points 14
Most starts: Darren Carter – 39
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 11
Worst discipline: Darren Carter and Jamey Osborne – 5 yellow cards and 1 red card
Aldershot Town – 5th
Overall record: Played 39; Won 18, Drawn 13, Lost 8; For 60, Against 45, GD 15; Points 67
Last six away: Played 6; Won 3, Drawn 2, Lost 1; For 10, Against 12, GD -2; Points 11
Most starts: Cheye Alexander – 36
Most goals: Shamir Fenelon – 11
Worst discipline: Emmanuel Oyeleke – 6 yellow cards and 1 red card
Ref Watch:
Referee: Joe Hull
Location: Cheshire
National League matches officiated 17/18: 14
Yellow cards produced: 36
Red cards produced: 1
Penalties awarded: 3
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Solihull Moors 0-1 Halifax Town – 19/08/2017
Assistant referees: Darin Geary and Andrew Humphries
Fourth official: Mark Billingham
Match Prediction:
Solihull Moors 2-1 Aldershot Town
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors remaining fixtures:
02/04/2018 – Tranmere Rovers (A)
07/04/2018 – Hartlepool United (A)
10/04/2018 – Maidstone United (H)
14/04/2018 – Guiseley (H)
21/04/2018 – AFC Fylde (A)
28/04/2018 – Eastleigh (H)
