Solihull Moors welcome National League leaders Boreham Wood to Damson Park on Saturday afternoon, with the two clubs experiencing sharply contrasting starts to the season. Moors begin the weekend 23rd with four points from nine matches, while unbeaten Boreham Wood sit three points clear at the top of the table with 23 points.
Solihull have endured a difficult opening to the campaign, recording one win, one draw and seven defeats from their first nine National League fixtures. Chris Millington’s side finally secured their first league victory with a 1-0 home win over Barrow earlier this month, Scott High scoring the decisive goal against ten-man opposition.
That breakthrough was followed by a 4-1 defeat at Yeovil Town last Friday. Ryan Jones and Slavi Spasov put the Glovers two goals ahead before an own goal gave Solihull brief hope in the closing stages, but substitute Johl Powell struck twice late on to complete a convincing victory for the hosts.
Moors have at least remained capable of finding the net despite their difficult results. They have scored in each of their last seven National League matches, but keeping opponents out has proved considerably more difficult. Solihull have conceded 23 goals in nine league games, giving them the division’s joint-heaviest defensive burden heading into the weekend.
Boreham Wood arrive in the West Midlands in outstanding form. Luke Garrard’s side remain unbeaten after nine matches, recording seven wins and two draws to establish themselves at the top of the National League with 23 points. They have scored 23 goals and conceded 11, giving them a goal difference of +12.
Wood strengthened their position at the summit with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Harrogate Town last weekend. Bailey Hobson gave Harrogate an early lead, but Tarryn Allarakhia equalised before Zak Brunt’s penalty completed the turnaround before half-time. Jay Bird and Ben Whitfield added further goals after the break, with Boreham Wood comfortably seeing out the victory despite Regan Booty’s late red card.
There is also an intriguing connection between the clubs ahead of Saturday’s fixture. Solihull forward Conor Wilkinson joined Boreham Wood on loan until December earlier this month, linking up with Garrard’s squad on 16 September.
Recent meetings provide considerably more encouragement for Solihull than the current league table. Across the six encounters between the clubs over the last three seasons, Moors have recorded four victories, Boreham Wood have won once and one match has ended level. Solihull have scored 12 goals across those fixtures compared with Boreham Wood’s five.
The sides traded home victories last season. Boreham Wood won 2-1 at Meadow Park in December, but Solihull responded emphatically when the teams met at Damson Park in April, recording a 4-1 victory. Moors have also won each of the last three meetings between the clubs at Damson Park, scoring eight goals and conceding only once.
Solihull begin Saturday 23rd with four points from nine matches, having won once, drawn once and lost seven. Boreham Wood sit top with 23 points after seven wins and two draws and are the only unbeaten side in this fixture. Saturday therefore brings together the National League’s current leaders and a Solihull side searching for a response after a difficult opening nine games, but Moors’ recent record against Boreham Wood provides an interesting counterpoint to the considerable gap between the teams in the current table.
