Alex Connor

Freelance Football Journalist

Solihull Moors

Coverage of my local football club

Match Report: Solihull Moors 3-3 Altrincham

Team News Manager Andy Whing named two changes to the lineup that brushed Maidstone United aside in their previous fixture in the FA Cup.Joe Newton and Bradley Stevenson returned to the starting XI, with Finn Howell and James Gale dropped to the bench. Matt Warburton was named back in the squad following a lengthy injury. Match Report The game started similarly to the Maidstone fixture as Jamey Osborne’s long throw-in caused instant chaos. Jack Stevens nearly latched onto an Alex Whitmore flick-...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Altrincham

What Happened Last Time?The clubs have already met twice this season, with both games coming in the FA Cup. The first outing needed a second-half Bradley strike to rescue a replay for the Moors. In the following match – this time in the West Midlands – it was an equally tight affair. The Robins had come from behind and were leading 2-1 before a last-minute long-ranger from Jamey Osborne sent the game to a penalty shootout. The Moors were clinical from the spot. Jack Stevens, Conor Wilkinson and...

Match Report: Solihull Moors 3-0 Maidstone United / FA Cup

Team News Manager Andy Whing named two changes to the lineup that suffered a narrow defeat to Gateshead in their latest fixture in the National League. James Gale and Finn Howell began from the outset. Bradley Stevenson and Joe Newton dropped to the bench. New signing Ackeme Francis-Burrell, recruited on a short-term deal from Burnley, was called into the squad for the first time. Match Report Jack Stevens, the Moors’ top scorer in all competitions this season, nearly added to his tally in the e...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Maidstone United / FA Cup

In the previous round of the competition, the Moors ensured progression with a nail-biting win over Altrincham via penalties. Andy Whing’s side suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to fellow promotion chasers Gateshead in the club’s latest outing in the National League, so an FA Cup match against lower-tier opposition could be the perfect antidote for a positive reaction.Meanwhile, Maidstone has been unbeaten in all competitions since the beginning of September. In their previous FA Cup fixture, th...

Match Report: Solihull Moors 2-1 Woking

Team News Manager Andy Whing named an unchanged lineup following the sensational victory over Barnet in their last league encounter. Richard Stearman and Craig Pead took charge on the touchline as Whing served a suspension. After an electric debut, new signing Michael Adu-Poku kept his place in the starting XI, while Kyle Morrison was back in the squad following injury trouble. Match Report The Moors’ confidence from the Barnet match quickly evaporated after eight minutes when Jamie Andrews’ flo...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Woking

The Moors will be itching to continue their four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, following their enthralling 4-3 victory over Barnet in their latest encounter.Meanwhile, Woking are in a difficult spell, as they’re winless in their previous six National League matches. History of The CardsWoking was established in 1887 and won its first title in 1896 when it clinched the West Surrey League. The Cardinals then joined the Isthmian League in 1911. They remained in this division for 72 years,...

Match Report: Solihull Moors 4-3 Barnet

Team News Following the penalty shootout victory against Altrincham in the FA Cup, manager Andy Whing made four changes to his lineup.New signing Michael Adu-Poku debuted for the Moors, while Jamey Osborne, Jack Stevens and Sam Bowen were reinstated to the starting XI.Match Report In a fiery and competitive encounter, Barnet forced the first notable save of the match when Laurie Walker smothered Harry Chapman’s close-range effort. Just minutes later, the table-toppers took an early lead when Nic...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Barnet

The Moors are unbeaten in the last four games in all competitions and enjoyed a penalty shootout victory over Altrincham in the FA Cup in their most recent outing.Meanwhile, Barnet has been in blistering form and currently sit top of the fifth tier. They have won their last six league games and defeated Chelmsford in the FA Cup. The Bees will seek revenge on the Moors, who recorded an extraordinary 4-0 victory against the visitors in last season’s play-offs.History of Barnet FCThe club was estab...

Match Preview: Altrincham v Solihull Moors / FA Cup

Last season, both clubs experienced play-off heartbreak, losing to eventual winners Bromley in the semi-finals and final respectively. They’re also undergoing similar fortunes in the current campaign as inconsistency means both sit in mid-table. Nevertheless, after a minor blip in form - which meant the Moors were winless in three matches - they collected three points in their last outing against Oldham.Meanwhile, Altrincham has developed a reputation as FA Cup Giant-Killers. With a distinctive...

Match Report: Solihull Moors 0-3 York City

Team News In another encounter at Damson Park, manager Andy Whing named an unchanged side from the team that suffered a disappointing loss to Southend United. Despite scoring against the Shrimpers on his return from injury, Jack Stevens remained on the bench. Match Report The first opportunity came in the 14th minute when a successful Moors press forced York into a defensive giveaway. This allowed Sam Bowen to play in Jamey Osborne, but the captain’s effort was straight at Harrison Male.Minutes...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs York City

The Moors will be eager to bounce back after a hugely disappointing result against Southend United in their last league fixture. Despite narrowly avoiding relegation in the previous season, York have made a sensational start to the campaign. The Minstermen have triumphed in six of their opening ten league games and currently sit joint top of the table with Barnet and Forest Green Rovers. History of York City York City FC was founded in 1922 and became original members of the Fourth Division in 1...

Match Report: Solihull Moors 2-4 Southend United

Team NewsIn the fifth home game of the season, Andy Whing made one change to the line-up, with summer signing Bradley Stevenson coming into the starting XI for the first time in the place of the injured Matty Warburton. The electric Conor Wilkinson continued to lead the frontline after he netted on three occasions in the previous two outings.Match ReportIt only took until the sixth minute for the Moors to fashion the first meaningful opportunity when Stevenson floated a delicious delivery to Con...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Southend United

The Moors will be brimming with confidence, having won their last two fixtures against Yeovil and Rochdale. Conor Wilkinson heads into the fixture in electric form with three goals in the previous two outings. Meanwhile, the visitors have endured an inconsistent start, with just two wins in the first nine games of the campaign. The Southend United Rollercoaster Southend United was founded in 1906. In 1958, the Shrimpers were placed in the Third Division upon restructuring the Football League. Af...

Match Report: Solihull Moors 0-1 Forest Green Rovers

Team news In the fourth home game of the season, Andy Whing made just one alteration to the line up that drew to Wealdstone.In a change of shape, Jacob Pinnington replaced James Gale in the starting XI, while Bradley Stevenson remained on the bench. James Clarke served the second game of his three-match suspension after picking up a red card against Halifax.Match Report After the visitors kept the majority of possession in the early stages, Christian Doidge was released behind the defence, but F...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Forest Green Rovers

The Moors will be searching for some elusive consistency, having won just two of their opening six league matches.The visitors have made a far more promising start to the campaign, and currently reside in the play-off positions, having won their last two fixtures.History of Forest Green RoversForest Green Rovers was formed in 1889 and is a founding member of the Mid-Gloucestershire League. Originally, the club represented the Forest Green area of Nailsworth so when it was recognised as an urban...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Wealdstone

This season, the Moors are unbeaten at home in the league and will be searching for consecutive wins for the first time this campaign after beating Halifax in the last outing. Wealdstone has endured a tricky start to the season and currently sits in the relegation zone but just three points separate the sides in the table, despite the Moors being in 12th position.The Midlands side will be confident heading into this fixture and pinched four points from their opponents in their league clashes las...

Match Preview: FC Halifax Town vs Solihull Moors

Halifax and the Moors have endured similar starts to the season as only one point and two places separate the two sides as they languish between 16th and 18th. A late Bradley Stevenson strike rescued a draw for Solihull against Braintree in their last domestic fixture. In the previous campaign, the Moors were unbeaten against the Shaymen, by taking four points off their opponents. Solihull also defeated Halifax 4-2 in their play-off eliminator meeting in April. A short and fruitful historyFC Hal...

Match Report: Solihull Moors 1-1 Braintree Town

Team news In the second home game of the season, Andy Whing made three changes to the line up that narrowly lost to Eastleigh in the last outing. Sam Bowen and Matty Warburton returned to the midfield in the starting XI, while Conor Wilkinson began from the outset for the first time. John Bostock was named in the squad for the first time since he moved to the club from Notts County in the summer. Match Report Despite keeping the majority of possession, the Moors fell behind in the seventh minute...

Match Preview: Solihull Moors vs Braintree Town

In the last outing, the Moors suffered a narrow and agonising defeat to top-of-the-table Eastleigh. The Spitfires netted twice in the first ten minutes to leave the Moors with a mountain to climb. The Midlands side eventually pulled a goal back through Bradley Stevenson – his first for the club – but it wasn’t enough to salvage a draw.This weekend, the Moors return to Damson Park, where they beat Maidenhead United in the last home fixture. It all started with windows Braintree Town FC was formed...

Match Preview: Eastleigh vs Solihull Moors

In the last campaign, the Hampshire outfit churned out successful efforts that derailed the Moors’ pursuit of automatic promotion. The two league games ended level, including a dramatic 3-3 draw in the latest meeting in March 2024.Eastleigh have been flying this season as they sit joint top of the league, having defeated Maidenhead United and AFC Fylde. Strangely, the Moors have also faced the same opponents in their opening two matches, bouncing back from the Fylde loss with a close 2-1 victory...

Match Preview: AFC Fylde vs Solihull Moors

The Moors have experienced a mixed pre-season having suffered 3-0 losses to Birmingham City and Oxford United. However, they have improved in more recent encounters, defeating Halesowen Town, Bromsgrove Sporting and Studley without conceding a goal. The previous campaign ended in excruciating form as the Moors lost the play-off and FA Trophy finals on penalties. Nevertheless, there is renewed optimism for the next chapter. The signing of John Bostock from Notts County has bolstered the hopes of...