MATCH PREVIEW – SOLIHULL MOORS (H) | Boreham Wood Football Club

Boreham Wood vs Solihull Moors
Sunday 15^th May 2022, 4.00pm
LV BET Stadium Meadow Park, Vanarama National League

THE CONTEXT

This Sunday, the Wood round off the 2021/22 National League campaign with the visit of Solihull Moors.

The Moors sit third going into the final game of the season having confirmed their place in the play-offs with a 3-0 victory over Bromley at the start of May, but will be looking to secure a top three finish and avoid the elimination round with just goal difference separating them and FC Halifax Town.

Wood’s defeat at Grimsby Town last time out brought an end to their play-off hopes with Dagenham & Redbridge now the only team who can catch Chesterfield in seventh, but they will be keen to close out a memorable season on a high.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”
CALLUM HOWE

A Scunthorpe United academy graduate, Callum Howe gained experience out on loan at Bradford Park Avenue, Frickley Avenue, Gainsborough Trinity, Gateshead and Alfreton Town, before being released without a senior appearance to his name. He joined Lincoln City and was a regular at the heart of defence in his debut season, but later saw minutes limited and joined Southport and Eastleigh on loan, helping the Imps achieve promotion back to League Two upon his return from the former. Further stints at Port Vale and Harrogate Town preceded his move to Solihull Moors.

“THE PLAYMAKER”
JOE SBARRA

After beginning his career in the West Bromwich Albion academy, Joe Sbarra made the switch to Burton Albion where he rose through the ranks and made his senior debut at the age of 18. A total of 76 appearances for the Brewers saw him feature in both the Championship and League One, but after failing to retain his place in the starting line-up he dropped into the National League in 2018/19, joining Solihull Moors on loan. He would make the move permanent following his release from the Pirelli Stadium, and has gone on to play 87 times for the Moors.

“THE FINISHER”
ANDREW DALLAS

Scottish-born striker Andrew Dallas began his career at Rangers and signed his first professional contract in June 2016, making his first team debut whilst on loan at Stenhousemeir before a stint at Greenock Morton. He made the move across the border to join Cambridge United in July 2019, appearing 33 times in all competitions that brought just two goals, finding more success on loan at Weymouth with his red-hot form throughout the second half of 2020/21 bringing 12 goals in just 25 appearances and convincing Solihull Moors to bring him to Damson Park, where he has notched 19 goals.

LAST TIME WE MET

Solihull Moors 3-1 Boreham Wood
Saturday 18^th September 2021
Damson Park, Vanarama National League

Boreham Wood succumbed to their first defeat of the season with a 3-1 victory for Solihull Moors at Damson Park.

It took just eight minutes for the hosts to take the lead with Joe Sbarra coolly slotting home, before Danny Newton took advantage of a mix-up at the back to double the lead on 24 minutes. The Wood began to grow into it with Jamal Fyfield heading Frankie Raymond’s cross wide, but Jacob Mendy Mendy did pull a goal back with his first for the club and saw them gain some momentum. Half time seemingly came at the wrong time for the visitors though, and Newton’s second of the afternoon early in the second half increased the deficit. They could have made it four with Andrew Dallas, Ryan Boot and Joe Sbarra all going close, along with Newton having two good opportunities to secure his hat-trick, but they had to settle for three with Newton’s brace allowing the Moors to see out all three points.