After a couple of weeks away from writing, we`re back. I can only apologise, our schedules are manic. A lot has happened during those two weeks as well.
We earned a very impressive draw away at league leaders Macclesfield Town before going out of the FA Trophy away at Spennymoor Town.
In around those results we extended Kwame Thomas` loan deal, brought back Max O`Leary, signed Tyrone Williams, turned Jamey Osborne`s loan deal a permanent one and signed the captain of a League Two club. Another addition has even been made today in the form of Opanin Edwards.
Going the other way, Akwasi Asante returned to Grimsby Town, Jordan Liburd, Ashley Sammons and Charlie Bannister all departed while Shepherd Murombedzi left the club, joining relegation rivals Chester soon after.
Saturday`s opponents know all about busy January`s. They`ve seen arguably their two star men depart for higher acclaim, Joe Ward joining League One Peterborough United and top scorer Inih Effiong signing for Scottish Premier League outfit Ross County. Ex-Solihull Moors loanee Regan Charles-Cook also returned to Charlton Athletic due to injury.
Reece Grego-Cox and Regan`s brother Anthony Cook have joined the club as replacements as Anthony Limbrick hopes to halt the club`s slide down the division – they are without a victory in seven league matches.
It`s fair to say a victory is of paramount importance to both clubs.
Vital Quotes:
Mark Yates was not too impressed with his side`s performance at Spennymoor Town:
“We went up to Barrow a couple of weeks ago and somebody came in the office and said ‘your boys wanted it more than ours` and do you know what, I think that`s what`s summed it up today. They (Spennymoor) wanted it more than ours and we didn`t do what we`ve been doing of late. For the supporters that travelled up, I can only apologise – it was disappointing for them.”
“I`m almost glad it`s happened today and not next Saturday. It might be a little wake-up call. I`ve praised the boys before and I`ve praised them for all the games we`ve been in charge of for their attitude and application, their endeavour and today we got outworked. We got outfought, we got outran, we got out tackled. It was a battle against their team and we lost the battle today in every sense.”
Solihull Moors Team News:
Mark Yates could give a debut to Opanin Edwards after the youngster joined on loan from Bristol City. He will be without the services of Shepherd Murombedzi after the winger departed on Tuesday while Tyrone Williams is suspended and Akwasi Asante returned to Grimsby Town following his loan spell.
Player to watch: Kyle Storer
This will be the first chance Vital Solihull Moors gets to see Kyle Storer in action following his move from Cheltenham Town.
Woking Team News:
Woking will be without Inih Effiong who this week joined Scottish Premier League side Ross County. Reece Grego-Cox will be pushing for a first start after making his debut from the bench in last weekend`s 1-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.
Player to watch: Nathan Baxter
Nathan Baxter took many of the plaudits last weekend and he`s a player Solihull Moors know all about having watched his development during the second half of last season. Afolayan and Hylton will need to be in fine form to beat the young keeper.
Match Facts & Stats
Solihull Moors – 22nd
Overall record: Played 29; Won 6, Drawn 6, Lost 17; For 26, Against 45, GD -19; Points 24
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 2; For 5, Against 8, GD -3; Points 8
Most starts: Darren Carter – 29
Most goals: Oladapo Afolayan – 10
Worst discipline: Darren Carter – 5 yellow cards and 1 red card
Woking – 15th
Overall record: Played 28; Won 10, Drawn 5, Lost 13; For 38, Against 44, GD -6; Points 35
Last six away: Played 6; Won 0, Drawn 2, Lost 4; For 5, Against 12, GD -7; Points 2
Most starts: Nathan Baxter – 24
Most goals: Inih Effiong – 8
Worst discipline: Matt Young and Josh Staunton – 6 yellow cards
Ref Watch:
Referee: Ryan Johnson
Location: Bolton
National League matches officiated 17/18: 5
Yellow cards produced: 9
Red cards produced: 1
Penalties awarded: 0
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Solihull Moors 1-3 Ebbsfleet United – 03/11/2017
Assistant referees: Darren Knox and Darin Geary
Fourth official: Scott Postin
Match Prediction:
Solihull Moors 2-1 Woking
Next Fixtures:
Solihull Moors’ next six fixtures:
27.01.2018 – Dagenham and Redbridge (A) – NAL
10.02.2018 – Ebbsfleet United (A) – NAL
17.02.2018 – Dover Athletic (H) – NAL
20.02.2018 – Wrexham (H) – NAL
24.02.2018 – Gateshead (A) – NAL
03.03.2018 – Maidstone United (H) – NAL
