Radcliffe travel south of Manchester for the first time since 2015 in the Isuzu FA Trophy, with Solihull Moors the destination for the Boro’s Third Round tie.

In the 2023/24 season, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley guided the club to the fourth round of the competition, the furthest any Radcliffe side has ever managed.

The Boro have already been successful in cup competitions this week, as we progressed in the Lancashire Trophy with a 4-1 victory over North West Counties outfit, Thornton Cleveleys.

The Opposition

Last season, Solihull Moors reached Wembley Stadium on two occasions but found themselves on the losing side of the scoreline on both visits. To make matters worse, they lost the two fixtures in heartbreaking fashion, as they were unsuccessful in two penalty shootouts.

In the National League play-off final they were defeated 4-3 by Bromley on penalties after drawing 2-2 in normal time, and their second visit saw the same fate, with a 5-4 defeat from the spot as Gateshead lifted the FA Trophy after another 2-2 draw at the full-time whistle.

Solihull Moors are currently midtable in the National League after 20 matchdays, sitting just three points outside of the play-offs. With a record of eight wins, eight defeats and four draws, the Moors are on a run of two wins in the last seven matches in all competitions. Outside of a 6-0 win away at Ebbsfleet and a 3-0 win at home against Maidstone, Solihull have lost four matches by a one-goal margin with the other game finishing in a 3-3 draw.

In the other major cup competition, the FA Cup, Andy Whing’s side were close to reaching the Third Round of the competition but were knocked out by League Two’s Bromley last Sunday.

Ones To Watch

Conor Wilkinson is one of Solihull Moors’ biggest threats to the Radcliffe defence this Saturday. The striker has seven goals in 18 league appearances this campaign, which includes a second-half hat-trick against Ebbsfleet in mid-November.

Other than goalkeeper Laurie Walker, Joe Newton has recorded the most minutes in the Solihull Moors squad. The defender has appeared in all 20 of his side’s National League matches so far, playing 1781 minutes of the 1800 available. Having been a member of the squad for the previous two seasons, he has become a key player in the creation of Solihull’s success.

Last Time Out

Radcliffe’s last match in the FA Trophy saw the Boro progress in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Worksop Town. Radcliffe fought until the final whistle, and a last-minute winner from Mo Doro secured our spot in the hat for the Third Round draw.

The Tigers had a two-goal advantage after Jordan Burrow’s first-half finish and Aaron Martin’s swift conversion after the restart, and began making changes in an attempt to solidify their defence.

However, Josh Hancock got one back for the Boro in the 68th minute after he previously had a goal ruled out in the first half when the official’s flag went up for offside against the number 7.

Debutant Danny Greenfield managed to beautifully curl in an equaliser four minutes from time to set up an end-to-end final ten minutes, and Radcliffe made the most of the added time as two second-half substitutes Jordan Hulme and Doro combined inside the area to give the latter a tap in, in the final minute of the tie.

Matchday Information

Date: 07/12/24
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Damson Park

Adult: £12
Concession (18-24 & 65+): £8
U18: £4
U12: £2

Away tickets are available to purchase online via the link below. This fixture is segregated, Radcliffe fans have been allocated an uncovered seated section of the East Stand, as well as a covered standing section of the Forest Stand. Stewards will be on hand to help Boro supporters wherever necessary.

Tickets can be purchased online here.

Read our away information article here.

Can’t Attend The Game?

Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary over on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 2:45pm.