Gary Johnson’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways when United head to the West Midlands to face Solihull Moors on Tuesday evening.
Who’s the Boss?
Neal Ardley arrived at Damson Park in June and began his managerial role on 1st July. His Moors side have so far had a mixed start to the season with one win, two draws and one loss.
Ardley spent two years at the helm at Notts County before the Magpies parted company with him in June. During his time at Meadow Lane he guided his side to the National League play-off final where Harrogate Town denied County an immediate Football League return. At the time of his departure, the Nottingham side were sat inside the play-offs with multiple games in hand.
Ardley previous spent over six years in charge at AFC Wimbledon, during which he guided the side to safety in League Two before the Dons were promoted via the play-offs at the conclusion of the 2015/16 season.
Player to Watch
Joe Sbarra has scored five goals in the Moors first four National League fixtures. The 22-year-old netted twice in the sides 2-2 draw at home against Wrexham before scoring twice in Solihull’s narrow 4-3 defeat against Weymouth on 4th September.
The midfielder progressed through the youth ranks at West Brom before moving on to become an academy graduate at Burton Albion, where he went on to make his senior debut on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign.
Sbarra featured for the Brewers at both Championship and League One levels before going to Damson Park on loan during the 2018/19 season. He signed permanently for the Moors in August 2020.
Played for Both
United number nine Danny Wright spent two seasons at the West Midlands side between 2018 and 2020. After being released by Solihull in the summer of 2020 the striker arrived at Plainmoor in the build-up to the 2020/21 campaign.
During his time at Damson Park, Wright made 81 appearances and scored 17 goals before reuniting with former Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson at Plainmoor last August.
Wright has also previously had spells at Dereham Town, Histon, Cambridge United, Wrexham, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Kidderminster and Cheltenham Town.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 2 – 0 Solihull Moors, Tuesday 23rd March 2021, National League.
First half strikes from Jake Andrews and Adam Randell saw Gary Johnson’s side come out on top against Solihull Moors at Plainmoor in March.
United had three corners within the first five minutes and it was in the 9th minute Jake Andrews put the home side ahead; his freekick from 25 yards out glanced off the near-post and into the back of the net.
Solihull came close to levelling the scores in the 33rd minute when Justin Donowa forced Lucas Covolan to make his first save of the game.
Minutes later Randell doubled United’s lead; Andrews ran up the left-wing before his cross found Randell at the far post who was able to calmly slot the ball home.