Moors Travel North In Search Of Points

There’s been a common factor in our fixtures in recent weeks.

Having been sat kindly in mid-table, we faced a run of consecutive fixtures that included Dover Athletic, Barrow and Aldershot Town who were all very much part of the play-off race, Tranmere Rovers and Forest Green Rovers who were fighting with Lincoln City for automatic promotion and Braintree Town, North Ferriby United, York City and Torquay United, clubs all battling for survival.

While there is no question that one victory from those nine matches is not good enough it is certainly understandable that the six defeats in that run have come against full-time outfits who are at the point of the season when the extra fitness is proving key.

Why mention this? Well, Macclesfield Town and Eastleigh have nothing to play for. Their seasons are finished, contracts have been sorted, people already know who is around and who isn’t next season. If we were supposedly on the beach when believing survival was almost achieved, those two clubs could be in the same position.

We have been poor recently and the excuse of mid-table mediocrity being achieved no longer washes. You saw the fight in the players against York City and it is imperative, as McDonald has eluded to, that we take it into another huge fixture.

This is no longer about personal pride and individual displays. This is about Solihull Moors keeping their status as a Conference National club. This is about a group of talented footballers proving they are capable of scoring more goals than the opposition over 90 minutes and securing what would still be an unlikely but incredible survival for a club of our size.

Let’s get you all aboard the free supporters’ coach and cheering on the boys!

Vital Quotes:

McDonald reviews Moors’ defeat to York City:

I thought we were poor in the first half as we have been over a number of games but I thought second half we were much better and we are disappointed we haven’t got anything out of the game. We deserved more.

I thought we pinned them back into their own half and we dominated for large parts. It gives us confidence because it was a good second half and we haven’t been playing well at all. There were positives to come out of it and we’ve got to take this into Monday’s game now.

Macclesfield Town Team News:

Neill Byrne is expected to return to the starting XI though Kingsley James remains a doubt with a knee problem. Changes could be afoot following the Good Friday defeat to Woking.

Player to watch: Mitch Hancox

A little bit of bias here but as a Birmingham City fan I adored Mitch Hancox. He was a player you could identify, somebody with minimal talent whose willingness to snap into challenges and refusal to give up endeared him to supporters. Having recently scored a first half hat-trick for Macclesfield Town and also tried his hand in the middle of midfield it is fair to say he has become more reliable since his red card in Solihull.

Solihull Moors Team News:

Liam McDonald broke the news that Liam Daly would miss the rest of the season with a fractured ankle. It’s unknown yet as to whether Calum Flanagan and Shepherd Murombedzi will be available but Regan Charles-Cook will return after his three match suspension.

Player to watch: Regan Charles-Cook

Before his suspension it was fair to say that Regan Charles-Cook’s form had been dipping more by the game, no doubt highlighted by his failure to hit the net since his second game for the club. Yet the diminutive ball of energy will be a welcome return to a side that has missed his direct running and willingness to snap in and press high up the field.

Match Facts & Stats

Macclesfield Town – 9th
Overall: Played 42; Won 20, Drawn 6, Lost 16; For 60, Against 50, GD +10; Points 66
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 3; For 8, Against 10, GD -2; Points 7
Most starts: George Pilkington – 38
Most goals: Chris Holdroyd – 12
Worst discipline: Jamie McCombe & Mitch Hancox – 7 yellow cards, 1 red card

SOLIHULL MOORS – 20th
Overall: Played 43; Won 13, Drawn 9, Lost 21; For 56, Against 73, GD -17; Points 48
Last six away: Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 3; For 6, Against 14, GD -8; Points 7
Most starts: Liam Daly – 39
Most goals: Akwasi Asante – 11
Worst discipline: Jack Byrne – 7 yellow cards, 1 red card

Ref Watch:

Referee: Andrew Miller

Location: Durham

Matches officiated in the National League 16/17: 21

Yellow cards produced: 78

Red cards produced: 5

Penalties given: 9

Last fixture in charge of Solihull Moors: N/A

Referee’s assistants: Christopher Smith and Adam Burgess

Fourth official: Matt Sowerby