Braintree Town have 48 points, York City 49 points, Guiseley and Torquay United lie on 50 points with Woking and Chester closest to safety on 52 points.
You would often say there would be huge relief at a victory but the truth is that relief was not required against Eastleigh. There were no moments of panic, very few moments where we looked under pressure and having gone 2-0 up within 22 minutes the game was plain sailing from our point of view. It was a performance that said ‘we are a National League outfit’.
More importantly it was a result achieved without several key players putting to bed the idea that the squad depth caused the bad run recently. No Shepherd Murombedzi, Liam Daly, Calum Flanagan, Nortei Nortey, Hafeez Sanusi or Danny Lewis and yet we stormed to victory against an Eastleigh outfit that still possesses some strong talents.
It was domination from the start and the end result was survival. What an achievement.
There will be no sitting back on the final day due to the situation Guiseley find themsleves in and the players owe it to themselves, to the fans and the clubs fighting against relegation to put in a performance and gain a result that could leave Moors finishing as high as 13th!
Then it’s a nice long summer in which we can smile at a job well done.
Vital Quotes:
Liam McDonald on the two toughest aspects of the season:
Looking back over my time at the Moors there have been two things that as a manager I had not experienced but feel I am better for overcoming them.
First of all I was faced with rebuilding the team three months into the season. In my previous stints at Redditch and Hednesford I had had the luxury of doing that pre season. It was not easy for the players when Marcus left and I arrived and understandable that some of the existing squad felt it was the time to move on. We were a team fighting for survival and I needed 100% loyalty from everyone in the squad – players who would run through a brick wall for me. Many of the new faces came from local midlands teams and were used to wining – this was a different environment and they needed to rise to the challenge quickly.
Then the six consecutive defeats came as a surprise just as we started a difficult run in to the end of the season. I was used to my teams bouncing back but it took a while for that to happen this time. I still believe the last kick defeat at Forest Green had something to do with that – the players were drained and their confidence took a knock. Tranmere had to be the turning point. I questioned myself and sat down with the players where we had an honest discussion on what had gone wrong. They felt they had let the club down and knew they could do better. Together we turned things around and if that situation ever looks like happening again in the future, we are all the better for the experience.
Guiseley Team News:
Danny East and Rob Atkinson returned last Saturday for Guiseley and their influence could be key on the final day. However Will Hatfield, Jake Lawlor and Marcus Williams all picked up knocks and are fighting to be fit.
Player to watch: Will Hatfield
Will Hatfield has been the main man for most of Guiseley’s season. The former Leeds United prodigy has been as close to ever-present as anybody in a Guiseley jersey this campaign scoring six goals and trying to pick up the baton for the struggling outfit. His performance could be key to their survival.
Solihull Moors Team News:
No official team news from the club though we suspect only Nortei Nortey will be available to return if anybody. Hard to imagine the starting XI unless Harry White is brought back into the fold.
Player to watch: Kristian Green
It has to be Kristian Green. The former Stourbridge is very much a full-back and one that can drive the team forward from his favoured right-back position yet when thrust into a central defensive position against two of the National League’s biggest, albeit under-performing, names, he stepped up to the task won his individual battles and his pace certainly helped too.
Match Facts & Stats
Guiseley – 20th
Overall: Played 45; Won 13, Drawn 11, Lost 21; For 49, Against 66, GD -17; Points 50
Last six at home: Played 6; Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 4; For 4, Against 9, GD -5; Points 6
Most starts: Will Hatfield – 42
Most goals: Jake Cassidy – 8
Worst discipline: Simon Walton – 12 yellow cards
SOLIHULL MOORS – 16th
Overall: Played 45; Won 15, Drawn 9, Lost 21; For 61, Against 74, GD -13; Points 54
Last six away: Played 6; Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 2; For 9, Against 13, GD – 4; Points 10
Most starts: Liam Daly – 39
Most goals: Akwasi Asante – 11
Worst discipline: Jack Byrne – 7 yellow cards, 1 red card
Ref Watch:
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Location: Cumbria
Matches officiated in National League in 16/17: 20
Yellow cards produced: 45
Red cards produced: 0
Penalties awarded: 5
Last time in charge of Solihull Moors: Barrow 2-1 Solihull Moors
Assistant referees: Oliver Bickle and John Mulligan
Fourth official: Peter Walker
Match Prediction:
Guiseley 1-2 Solihull Moors
Aldershot Town to make the play-offs. Braintree Town and Guiseley to be relegated.
Next Fixtures:
No remaining fixtures – enjoy your summer holidays people!
