After a break from competitive action of 17 days due to Covid-19, Aldershot Town return to the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening, for the FA Trophy 4th Round tie at home to Solihull Moors.
The visitors have also had an enforced break, which led to the re-arrangement of this fixture which was originally due to be played on Saturday. Moors sit two places and one point ahead of The Shots’ in the National League table, having played three games less.
In association with LV BET, Rob Worrall previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Lewis Kinsella continues to make good progress in his rehabilitation from his knee injury. Craig Tanner and Ross McCormack remain side-lined for the foreseeable future.
Opposition:
Name: Solihull Moors Founded: 2007, via the merger of Moor Green (founded in 1901) and Solihull Borough (founded in 1953).
Nickname: The Moors
Manager: Jimmy Shan
Stadium: Damson Park
2019/20 National League Final Position: 8th (when season ended). Awarded 9th position on Points Per Game (1.44)
The Gaffer: 42-year-old Jimmy Shan has been Solihulll Moors manager since February 2020, following a brief spell as interim manager at Kidderminster Harriers. Prior to that he spent several years coaching in the Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion Academies. In March 2019, he was named Caretaker Manager of West Brom, winning his first game in charge against Swansea City (Championship).
Departed:
Key departures from Damson Park following Shan’s first squad rebuild included some very established players; Jamie Reckord (now at Wrexham), George Carline (Gloucester, now Chesterfield), Danny Wright (now Torquay United), Nathan Blissett (now at Maidenhead United) and Paul McCallum (Dagenham & Redbridge).
Retained:
Shan retained 11 players from last season’s squad, most notably; Keeper Ryan Boot, Centre Backs Callum Howe and Alex Gudger, Midfielders Jamie Osbourne & Darren Carter and forwards Adam Rooney and Mitch Hancox.
Arrived:
There have been 15 new arrivals at Damson Park as Shan looks to rebuild his playing squad. These include; Defenders Jordan Cranston (Morecambe), Cameron Cox (Cardiff City), Midfielders Stephen Gleeson (Aberdeen), Joe Sbarra (Burton Albion) and Strikers Jamie Ward (Scunthorpe United) & Cameron Archer (on loan from Aston Villa). Shan’s most recent signing is Centre Back Nathan Cameron, who last played for Wigan Athletic.
Form:
Moors season has been stop/start due to Covid-19 and as of January 2021, they have only played 13 National League games to date, picking up 22 points. They currently sit 12th, just one point outside the play-offs.
Referee:
Tuesday’s referee is Scott Jackson who has refereed 6 National League matches this season, showing 30 Yellow Cards and 1 Red Card.
Match Coverage:
The match will be streamed and available on ‘Shots TV Live’ with Presenter Mark Butler and guests Steve Stairs and Mark Anderson. Match Commentary will be by Rob Worrall. BBC Radio Surrey Sport will also be covering the match with live online commentary from Gavin Denison.
