Following Saturday’s 0-0 draw up at promotion favourites Stockport County, Aldershot Town return to the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening, for a National League fixture against Solihull Moors. Jimmy Shan’s men were here just 4 weeks ago for the FA Trophy 4th Round tie, a thrilling game that Shots’ won 3-2.
In association with LV BET, Rob Worrall previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Lewis Kinsella, Craig Tanner and Ross McCormack are all making progress towards their return from long term injuries. George Fowler also has a knee problem. Otherwise, Manager Danny Searle has the remainder of his playing squad to pick from.
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 16 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. Striker Kyle Hudlin, who was playing several levels below with Solihull Borough last season has stepped up impressively and he scored against Shots in January FA Trophy tie.
Form:
Moors season has been stop/start due to Covid-19 and they have played just 17 National League games to date. They currently sit 14th and this calendar year to date, they have Won 2, Drawn 1 and Lost 3 games in the League.
Referee:
Tuesday’s referee is Daniel Lamport who has refereed 5 National League matches this season, showing 16 Yellow Cards and no Red Cards to date.
Match Coverage:
The match will be streamed and available on ‘Shots TV Live’ HERE with Presenter Mark Butler and special guests. Match Commentary will be by Rob Worrall. BBC Radio Surrey Sport will also be covering the match.
