MATCH PREVIEW: SOLIHULL MOORS (A)

Solihull Moors vs Boreham Wood
Tuesday, 12th March 2024, 7:45 pm
ARMCO Arena, Vanarama National League

PREVIEW

Tomorrow sees Luke Garrard’s side make the journey to the West Midlands for an evening clash with Solihull Moors as we attempt to bounce back from defeat at Halifax Town. Last time out against the Moors, it ended in defeat for the Wood at Meadow Park. The visitors took a 2-0 lead through Mark Beck and Jamey Osborne but were denied a clean sheet by David Agbontohoma on the stroke of full-time. The Moors sit in the play-off places, occupying 4th in the Vanarama National League table on 61 points after 17 wins, 10 draws and 10 losses. The Wood, on the other hand, sit just above the drop zone and will be hungry to take all 3 points from tomorrow’s evenings fixture.

FORM GUIDE

Solihull Moors – W-D-L-W-D

The Moors sit 6th in the form guide after having earnt 11 points from their previous 6 in the league. In the latter stages of last month, Andy Whing’s side travelled to Lancashire where they would face AFC Fylde. The Coasters took an early 2-0 lead through Haughton and Ormerod and forward, Jack Stevens brought 1 back for the Moors just before the half-time break. Solihull then equalised through midfielder, Joe Sbarra in the 64th minute but were unable to find a winner and the points were ultimately shared. On the Saturday that followed, Hartlepool United would pay a visit to the ARMCO Arena. Forward, Tahvon Campbell and midfielder, Callum Maycock gave the Moors a 2-0 lead and, despite Callum Cooke scoring for the visitors not long after, it ended in victory for Andy Whing’s men. However, the West Midlands side weren’t able to end their February on a high when Kidderminster Harriers came to town and stole the 3 points in a narrow 1-0 victory.

After the defeat to Kidderminster, Andy Whing’s side made the journey down to Eastleigh for a game which saw another thrilling comeback. Eastleigh’s main man, Paul McCallum grabbed a hattrick and the home side led 3-1 by the 70th minute. This was followed by goals from Jack Stevens and Tahvon Campbell, levelling the score at 3-3 and salvaging another hard-fought point for the Moors. Hitting the road again, Solihull travelled to Tyneside for a clash with rivals in the fight for promotion, Gateshead. The Heed drew first blood inside 3 minutes, but this would be met with another Tahvon Campbell goal and Jack Stevens brace. Dajaune Brown netted for Gateshead in the 86th minute, narrowing the Moors’ lead to 3-2 but Andy Whing’s side would stand firm, resulting in a statement victory. Finally, in their previous game, the Moors would face Wealdstone in an FA Trophy quarter final. Both goals come in the first half, with the Stones taking a 1-0 lead through Max Kretzschmar and the Moors levelling the score through Callum Maycock. The tie would be decided on penalties and Andy Whing’s side were the ones to prevail, winning 4-3 in the shootout. The Moors will travel to Bromley in the semi-final of the competition.

ONES TO WATCH

Jack Stevens:

23-year-old Welshman, Jack Stevens, who joined the Moors this time last year, has impressed for Andy Whing’s side this season, bagging 7 goals and averaging a goal every 192 minutes in the league. The young attacker earnt a place in the latest Vanarama National League Team of Midweek for his clinical performance against Gateshead last Tuesday, a performance in which the Welshman netted a brace. Stevens has shown what he is capable of this season, especially of recent, grabbing 4 goals in his previous 5 league appearances and will be aiming to continue his run of form against the Wood tomorrow, a factor for Luke Garrard to consider in preparations for tomorrow evening’s visit to the West Midlands.

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW