Match Preview: Solihull Moors (A)

After three consecutive home games, AFC Fylde are back on the road this weekend with a trip to face Solihull Moors at Damson Park.

The Coasters will be looking to make it three games unbeaten with the trip to the Moors after a win against Ebbsfleet United was following up by a late point against Eastleigh last weekend.

A late goal from Danny Ormerod meant Kevin Phillips’ side secured a point as the teenager headed home in the 95th minute.

The Coasters will be looking to do a league double over Solihull after earning the three points in the reverse fixture on the first game of the season thanks to a Nick Haughton hat-trick.

Opposition dugout: Andy Whing

Whing was appointed at Damson Park in June 2023 and led the Moors to two Wembley finals in his first season in charge.

In a 12-year playing career, Birmingham-born Whing featured for six EFL clubs, making 346 league appearances in total.

Starting out at Coventry City, Whing, who played in a right-back position, turned out 106 times for the Sky Blues during four-years at the club before joining Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2007 following a loan spell on the South Coast.

Whing made a further 91 appearances for the Seagulls as the club competed in League One, eventually leaving the Withdean Stadium in January 2011 after loan spells at Chesterfield and Leyton Orient, to make his stay at Brisbane Road permanent.

He left Leyton Orient in the summer of that year to sign for Oxford United, turning out 100 times for the U’s, becoming a fan favourite at the Kassam Stadium, remaining on the coaching staff after his retirement in 2015.

After six-years as a player and a coach at Oxford, Whing departed to manage Kidderminster Harriers U23s team prior to joining Hereford in 2019, reuniting with Russell Slade, his former Leyton Orient boss.

In May 2020, Whing was named Banbury United manager, bringing success to the Puritans as they were crowned champions of the Southern League Premier Division Central to the Vanarama National League North for the first time in their history in 2021/22.

Whing, 39, resigned from his role at Banbury in May 2023 having guided them to safety and would move onto Solihull a month later.

One to watch: Jack Stevens

Forward Jack Stevens signed for Solihull in March 2023 and led the line in an impressive campaign last season.

Stevens scored 14 goals in 40 appearances for Moors last term, as the club reached Wembley twice.

A former scholar at Oxford United, Stevens turned professional at the Kassam Stadium and also spent time at Chippenham before signing for Banbury in October 2021.

The Welshman proved vital in a record-breaking promotion-winning campaign for the Puritans, scoring 15 goals as they were promoted to the Vanarama National League North.

Stevens, 23, who can play as a striker or attacking midfielder, signed for his current club during the 2022/23 campaign and found the net on a regular basis last season under Whing’s management.

So far this season, the forward is on 13 goal contributions in 15 league appearances, including a goal in the reverse fixture on the opening day.

Tickets and travel:

Tickets:

The Coasters have been allocated 595 tickets for their trip to Damson Park with tickets priced at:

Adult: £16.00

Concessions (65+ / 18-24): £12.00

U18’s: £8

U12’s: Free

Tickets can be bought in advance online here and any remaining tickets will be available to buy on the day of the game.

Under 14’s must be accompanied with a paying adult/concession.

Travel:

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